Shirley Roberta (Cole) Braswell

SHIRLEY ROBERTA BRASWELL (nee Cole), of Pacific, Missouri, passed away February 16, 2025 at the age of 86 years, 1 month, and 6 days. Mrs. Braswell was born January 10, 1939 in Steele, Missouri to Theodore and Lila Mae (nee Hurley) Cole. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry; both her parents; and her four brothers, Eugene Cole, Dean Cole, Peck Cole, and Ronnie Cole.

Mrs. Braswell is survived by her two daughters; Lucretia Penn and husband Charles, Manchester, Missouri, and Sondra Knott and husband Kent, Robertsville, Missouri; two sisters, Jeanetta Bridgers and Faye Lorren; grandchildren; Devin Penn, Marisa Penn, Cody Penn and wife Kayla, Joshua Knott, Caleb Knott and wife Austin; two great-grandchildren; Maverick Knott and Summit Penn; and other relatives and friends.

Shirley (Bert to many) was a truly artistic soul with a deep passion for all things crafty. She explored various painting mediums-watercolor, oils, acrylic and, for many years, poured her own ceramics and porcelain, creating beautiful, one-ofa-kind art pieces. The changing seasons were a constant inspiration for her, and she could often be found working in her garden, tending to the flowers she adored.

An exceptional seamstress, Shirley made most of her and her daughters’ clothes over the years, always with an eye for detail and a love for creating. One of her proudest achievements was gifting each of her five grandchildren a quilt she had lovingly crafted.

Her love for baking and cooking was unparalleled, and she had a particular fondness for sweets-ice cream being a favorite late-night treat. Shirley also cherished the long conversations she had with her sisters and friends on the phone, often spending hours catching up.

Her kindness and infectious laugh could light up any room, and everyone who knew her loved her dearly. But above all, her greatest love was her family, and they were the center of her world.

Visitation for Mrs. Braswell is Monday, March 3, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at Bell Funeral Home, Pacific, Missouri. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 11:30 A.M. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, American Parkinson Disease Association, or American Cancer Society.

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