HELEN DELORIS BRACY

Helen Deloris Bracy, age 93, passed away in December 2024 in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Born in 1931 to Sarah and John Henry Geiger in Columbia, South Carolina, Helen touched many lives with her kindness and unwavering faith. She married SFC Rev. Herbert L. Bracy 55 years ago and was a devoted mother to nine children, grandmother to twelve, great-grandmother to fifteen, and great-great-grandmother to two.

Helen served faithfully as the First Lady at the Ekklesia Baptist Assembly and was deeply cherished by the church and the Westside Ministerial Alliance. She was one of five children and attended Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, SC. Throughout her husband’s military career, she traveled the world, making a lasting impact on everyone she met. Helen earned a Bachelor of Theology from Guadalupe Baptist Theological Seminary in San Antonio, TX.

In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Helen dedicated over 20 years as a cafeteria worker at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, where she interacted with and fed thousands of children. She was instrumental in organizing the Black History program at the school, and enhancing the education of many students. Her and husband strived on spreading the “Education Pays Dividends” throughout the community and ensured single one of her lineage graduated some type of higher education. Helen also served as secretary to the Wives Auxiliary of the Westside Ministerial Alliance and created a scholarship fund in memory of her son, Charles R. Bracy, which was awarded at the Annual Scholarship Banquet.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, SFC Rev. Herbert L. Bracy; her son, A1C Charles R. Bracy; and her daughters, Laverne R. Bracy and Roselind (Rose) G. Bracy. She leaves behind cherished memories with her brother, Willie Geiger, and sister, Susan Turner.

Her beloved children: SGT Rowland Bracy (Ret.)(Vanessa Bracy-wife), 1LT Herbert Bracy Jr. (Ret.)(Anita Bracy-wife), USN James Bracy (Ret.)(Laurie Bracy-wife), Russell Bracy, Preston Bracy SPC , and John Bracy.

Grandchildren: Zuri Bracy, Samuel (Samiyon) Worthen, Shallum (Shawn) Worthen (Tara Worthen–wife), Peter Worthen (Daniela Worthen–wife), Tiffanie Bracy, Rochelle Reddick, Jasmine Bracy, Kia Bracy, Desiree Bracy, Andrea Bracy, Charles J. Bracy, and TSGT Herbert W. Bracy.

Helen's legacy will continue through her numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, close friends, the BAAD NEWZ band, the City of San Antonio, and the PACE (People Active in a Community Effort), Neil Armstrong Elementary School, and the South San High School community.