Elsie Finch Braunig

ELSIE MCCOY FINCH BRAUNIG, 100, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Bellville, Texas.

Born January 30, 1920, in Tyler, Texas, to James Wesley and Verna Horton McCoy, Elsie grew up and attended school in Tyler before moving to Houston in 1941 to help in the war effort. She first worked for Houston Stamp and Stencil Company as principal engraver, engraving bells for ships built at the Houston Ship Channel and making steel stamps to label ship parts. After the war she worked as a secretary for an oil company, a time she spoke of fondly. In 1954, she married William Reid Finch of Bellville, where they made a loving home until his death in 1968. They had two daughters, Rebecca Reid Finch and Sara Jane Finch.

In 1970, Elsie married W.A. Braunig of Houston, where they lived until his death in 2004. A few years later, she returned to Bellville and then Brenham to be closer to her daughters.

Elsie was a faithful member of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston and an active member of the Encourager Sunday School class. She loved people and had many friends everywhere. She also loved traveling abroad, gospel music, country-western music, sewing, reading, playing her guitar, and playing games with her grandchildren. Her seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her Gran, were the great joy in her life.

Elsie is survived by daughters: Becky Bader and husband, Ian, of Bellville, Janie Gray and husband, Gary, of Calvert, and step-daughter Chris Braunig Jessee and husband, Steve, of Austin; grandchildren: John Reid Bader and wife, Tina Aponte, William Edward Bader and wife, Melissa McKenna Bader, Dennis Tyler Williams, Brenton Timothy Williams, Mollie Rebekah Williams Riddle and husband, Alex, Stephen Jessee and wife, Nalinda Charnsangavej, Allison Jessee and husband, Dan Grubbs; great-grandchildren: Emma June Bader, Alexander Ian Bader, Carlos Aponte, Lorenzo Aponte, Amelia Grubb, Warren Grubb, Maxwell Jessee, and Eleanor Jessee; brothers: Tom McCoy and wife, Ruthie, and Jerry McCoy; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by William Reid Finch and W.A. Braunig, her parents, six siblings, her niece Linda Egnes, and her step-daughter Joyce Braunig.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now

I’m free.  I’m following the path God has

laid you see.  I took His hand when I heard Him call.  I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day.

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.

Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been filled.  I savored much.

Good friends, good times,

a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and peace to thee.

God wanted me now.

He set me free!