Michelle Louise Brackett

©  Mary Kirby

© Muskogee Phoenix
November 25, 2009
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Michelle Louise Brackett, age 27, passed away Sunday afternoon, November 22, 2009, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, OK, after a long struggle with cancer. Her family and friends will miss her bright, warm smile, but we know she is in the care of the Lord and His comforting arms. Michelle's healing presence touched us all, even on her weakest days. We are stronger because we knew her and blessed because her spirit touched our hearts, and we loved her even more. Michelle was a faithful Christian and enjoyed her church families.

Baptized at the age of 15, she attended Westside Church of Christ with her grandmother, Leota Brackett, and Chandler Road Church of Christ with her Dad, Earney. Michelle attended Immanuel Baptist Church, where she made many friends, and loved going to church camps. Michelle joined First Baptist Church of Muskogee, and loved seeing her friends there, especially her best friend, Katie Van Cleave. Michelle also attended Wesley United Methodist Church of Muskogee, with her Mom and Step-Dad, Barbara & Jerry Clouse, where she volunteered in the church office for Pastor Marsha Purtell.

Michelle loved basketball at an early age and began to play in 5th grade for Hilldale Elementary teams. She played basketball for Hilldale High School, graduating in the Class of 2001. Michelle attended Connors State College, Muskogee Campus , for two years. She worked three years for the U.S. Attorney's Office, of Muskogee, in a work study student program. Michelle worked as a clerk for a car rental service at Tulsa International Airport when she became ill. While Michelle was being treated for cancer, she was accepted for participation in clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), at Bethesda, MD. The medical advances discovered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were successful in increasing Michelle's longevity. As a patient of NCI/NIH, Michelle was allowed to stay at the hospitality house across the street. The Children's Inn became the family's second home as they traveled back and forth for the clinical trials. The family has requested that contributions may be made to this non-profit facility, in memory of Michelle: The Children's Inn at NIH, 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20814-1509. (www.childrensinn.org).

Michelle was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Willard & Leota Brackett, maternal grandfathers, Newton Clark and John Gungl, and her step-brother, Joseph Prescott. Those left to cherish her memory are her father and step-mother, Earney & Mary Larue Brackett, of Muskogee; her mother & step-father, Barbara & Jerry Clouse of Muskogee; maternal grandmother, Willie Faye Gungl, of Coolidge, AZ; brothers, Scott Brackett & his wife, Brandi, of Muskogee, and Will Brackett of Tennessee; step-brothers, Ira Prescott of Greenwood, AR; John Prescott of League City, TX, and Matt Clouse & his wife, Sylia of Lompoc, CA; step-sisters, Naomi Moorer of Atlanta, GA; Helen Wood & her husband, Danny of Muskogee; Ann Zulch of Van Buren AR, and Joy Tolbert & her husband, Skye of Barling, AR; nieces, Samantha & Makayla Brackett of Muskogee; Emma Brackett of TN, and Ashlee Zulch of Van Buren, AR; nephews: Josh, Tyler, and Logan Wood, of Muskogee, and Andrew Tolbert of Barling, AR; uncle, Larry N. Clark, of Apache Junction, AZ; aunts, Susan Neevel of San Manuel, AZ and Paula Smith of Coolidge, AZ. Michelle is also survived by other step nieces and nephews, plus many cousins who loved Michelle dearly; her best friend, Katie Van Cleave, and her mother, Karen Smith, of Muskogee, plus many other friends who cherish her memory.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Michelle Louise Brackett at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 28, 2009 at First Baptist Church with Pastor Lance Sawyer, Mr. Donnie Branscum, and Pastor Marsha Purtell officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah with Scott Brackett, Jerry Clouse, Will Brackett, Ira Prescott, Earney Brackett, Cary Lund, Jr., Josh Wood, and Tyler Wood serving as pallbearers.

The family has entrusted Bradley Family Funeral Service of Muskogee with the arrangements. Friends may send condolences to the family on the web page www.bradleyfuneralservice.com.

Section: Obituaries

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