Mildred Louise Fox

Mildred Louise (Pender) Bracken-Fox was at her home surrounded by her loving family when called by her Lord on June 20, 2023. She was born on June 7, 1934 in Union County, Illinois to her Christian-faith parents, Fred Hester and Helen Lucille (Rhodes) Pender. Mildred was baptized and saved in 1970 at the Assembly of God Church in Wolf Lake, Illinois.

She was married in Holy matrimony to the love of her life, Bobbie Dean Bracken on June 1, 1953. Their union was blessed with three children; Helen Bracken of Jonesboro, Bobbie Bracken of Jonesboro (Sharon of Cobden), and William Bracken of Anna. Her husband, Bobbie, preceded her in death on March 27, 1962 as a result of a tragic work place explosion.

On July 25, 1964, she married James Wesley Fox who brought three step-children to her family; stepdaughter Jacqueline (Jim) Sharp; stepson in law Albert Hileman; grand and great grandchildren, Amy Bracken Newberry and her children Draven, Chaden, Tyesen, and Zoey, Kim (Josh) Bracken-Wright and their children Jacob and Nataleigh, Mackenzie Bracken and her children Addilyn and Aubree, Nathan (Kaelynn) Bracken and their children Carsen, Remington, Greyson, Easton, Emmerson, Wynston, Samson, Annaston, and Jackson, Amber (Robert) Bracken-Mayberry and their children Alexandria, Ava, Kylie, Titus, and Josephine, Sheryl (James) Fox-Gentry and their children, J.J., Sarah, and Jordan, Laura (Chris) Hileman-Stocker, Alison Hileman, Jamie Sharp, Jenessa (Craig) Bohlman, and their kids Dexter and Masen, Jesse (Samana) Sharp and child Lucas; sister, Barbara Barlow; brothers, Fred (Maxine) Pender, Don (Sarah) Pind, and Clarence (Becky) Pind; step sister, Cuba Payne; sister in law, Pam Pind; many other relatives and many friends. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, stepdad Cal Pind, two husbands, daughter in law, Pamela Bracker; step son Jimmy Fox; step daughter Rena Hileman; brothers John Pender, Gilbert Pender, Paul Pender, Mike Pind, Jim Pind; sisters in law, Louella Pender, Carol Pender, Monica Pind, and Marilyn Pender; and a brother in law, Corky Barlow. She is greatly loved and will forever be missed by all of her family and countless friends.

Her summers were full of gardening, canning, and cooking. She greatly enjoyed spoiling her family and community with good food. Her gardens were absolutely beautiful. Mildred's most loving moments were spent with family during large gatherings where we always enjoyed the company, fellowship, and music made by her brothers. She would dance most of the time and occasionally sing a few songs, too!

During Christmastime, she would make and deliver several pounds of assorted candy to family and anyone else whom she believed would enjoy it. Her delicious chicken and dumplings were the highlight of many meals for family and her community alike.

She was a loyal Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Anyone who had the pleasure of her presence knew she was a hard worker and strong woman from a young age. Through her life she became more resilient and was the rock of our family.

Funeral services for Mildred Fox will be Monday, June 26, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Rev. Geoff Bond officiating. Interment will immediately follow in the Anna Cemetery. Friends and family may gather for a visitation Sunday, June 25, from 4:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. at the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro.