Obituary of Edith Mae Bruner

Edith Mae Bruner, age 92, passed away on, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. She was born on September 21, 1923 in Grinell, IA, the daughter of Leo and Minnie Hicks Lowry. Her father passed away soon after her birth and in the summer of 1924, Edith, along with her mother, grandparents, and their seven children moved by train to a farm in Ponca City, OK. She attended Ponca City schools and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1942, where she was a choral member. After graduation, she worked as a telephone operator. She married Rev. J. J. Franklin on December 17, 1943 and moved to Arkansas where he was a Director of Missions. He passed away on June 3, 1953 and she returned to Ponca City, OK. On March 16, 1956, she married Richard Stephen Bruner and moved to Seiling, OK. They moved to Idabel, OK in 1966 where Mr. Bruner owned and operated a barber shop. Mr. Bruner passed away on August 12, 1993. Edith enjoyed listening to gospel music, especially hymns, and was a pianist. She was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, James Laws, and husbands, Rev. J. J. Franklin and Richard Bruner; and granddaughter, Jolene Franklin. Edith leaves to cherish her memory her sons and daughters-in-law, Don and Johnnita Bruner of Haworth, Steve and Nancy Bruner of Jacksonville, TX, Robert and Susan Franklin of Mansfield, TX, and John and Nerinda Franklin of Piedmont, OK; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.