Luella “Lou” Braley

Lou was born in Wrightsville on Sept. 11, 1937, to Freeman and Rena (Firth) Smith. Among her greatest joys was getting to know the kids – who she thought of as her own -on her school bus for 42 years. She enjoyed puzzles and board games, bird watching and caring for her flowerbeds. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family right up until her passing. She will be remembered for her generosity, hard work, homemade candy, canning, and her rice pudding at any occasion. Prior to driving bus, she had worked at New Process and Webber Knapp.

She is survived by her children; David (Emily) Braley of Sugar Grove, and Louise (Jim) Tharp of Jamestown; her siblings: Rodney (Delores) Smith of Sugar Grove, Vera (George) Kellogg of Youngsville, Janet (Dennis) Brown of Lakewood, and Leila Lisk of North Carolina.; a grandson, Nickolas (Natalie) Patch of Dayton, Ohio; 3 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Carly and Benjamin; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call on Friday from noon to 1p.m,, followed by a funeral service held at the Nelson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Youngsville, with the Rev. Rick Rohlin, pastor of Praise Fellowship, in Russell, officiating. Burial will follow in the Stilson Hill Cemetery. Masks will be required in the funeral home.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.nelsonfuneralhome.net