Fran Braden

Ida Frances “Fran” Braden, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at her home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Fran was born in Beaver Dam, North Carolina on April 13, 1939 to the late Lud and Inez (Smith) Horne. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Braden, and her son, Doug Braden. 

Fran grew up raising tobacco, beans, and many other crops with her parents and five siblings and was fiercely proud of her farm girl roots. After high school, she began working in finance at a local bank. She met her husband, Gene, on a blind date in January 1959 and married later that year. They raised their three children in Fayetteville as Gene was serving in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces. On his second tour of duty in Vietnam, Gene stepped on a land mine in September of 1969. Fran paused her career to care for her combat-wounded husband until his passing in 1977.

Fran then worked in Bernard Cashwell’s office as a secretary where she was introduced to real estate, which became her calling and passion. She thrived on all of the professional relationships developed with fellow realtors, attorneys, bankers, service providers, individual business owners and everyone involved in the buying and selling of homes over her 41 year career that spanned affiliations with Century 21, Prudential, and RE/MAX. 

Fran truly loved helping people and channeled that love into finding her clients the perfect home. She excelled and quickly became a top selling agent thanks to her dedication to meeting the needs of her customers, who often became lifelong friends and part of her extended family. Fran won awards ranging from the 1988 Salesperson of the Year for the Fayetteville Area Board of Realtors to the RE/MAX Hall of Fame in 2005. She later branched out by adding property management and enjoyed interacting with tenants and owners, finding even more friends through her work. In her spare time, Fran enjoyed playing golf, Bingo, and traveling to visit family and friends.

Fran’s family meant the world to her. She often hosted large cookouts and meals that brought together the whole extended family. Nothing made her happier than playing with the newest baby and, in recent years, her three great grandsons. She greeted everyone with respect and dignity. She was always there to help anyone in need and viewed her career success as a way to support her family and friends. Fran will always be remembered for her love for others, generosity, and bubbly personality. 

Fran is survived by her daughters, June Braden and Teri Braden, three grandchildren, Justin Mascho (Kate), Laura White (Hunter), and Paula Seligson, and three great grandsons, Alexander, Andrew, and Mitchell Mascho. Fran is also survived by her three brothers, Lathan Horne, James Horne, Ed Horne, and two sisters, Ada Smith (George) and Sue Lopiano (Michael), as well as many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home will provide a livestream link on their website for a funeral service on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 2pm, officiated by Pastor Nick Smith. A large in-person Celebration of Life open to all will be held once Covid-19 safety protocols are over.

A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 2 pm in the Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street.  Masks and Social Distancing will be encouraged. 

A livestream of the service can be viewed at the Jernigan-Warren Facebook page at this link.  https://www.facebook.com/JerniganWarren/

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

Services by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

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