Calvin Lee Brawner

Calvin L. Brawner, 77, of Bonham, Texas, passed away on August 21, 2025, in Denison, Texas. Born on March 15, 1948, in Lafayette, Tennessee, Calvin lived his life in faithful service to the Lord, his family, his country, and the churches he loved.

Calvin was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, but above all, he was a servant of Christ. He and his beloved wife, Leonita Keen Brawner, were married for 57 years, building a home filled with faith, love, and devotion. Even in later years, as both faced physical challenges, they remained side by side, sharing a nursing home room; a lasting testimony to their enduring love and commitment.

A member of East Side Missionary Baptist Church in Gallatin, Tennessee, Calvin was ordained to the full work of the ministry in April 1973 by Rocky Mound Missionary Baptist Church in Macon County, Tennessee. Over the decades, he faithfully pastored several congregations, including Oak Forest #1 Missionary Baptist Church in Adolphus, Kentucky; Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Carthage, Tennessee; Sulphur Fork Missionary Baptist Church near Portland, Tennessee; and Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Portland, Tennessee. He was also active in mission work, sharing the gospel and strengthening churches wherever the Lord called him to serve.

In addition to his ministry, Calvin proudly served his country as a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard. He served for eight years with the 1175th Fueling Detachment of Lafayette, Tennessee, and was deployed during the first Gulf War when his unit was activated to provide fuel for mobile equipment and security for joint service personnel. His dedication to God and country was a defining part of his life.

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, King Robert Brawner and Sally Parker Brawner, and by his siblings, Perlene Brawner, Robert June Brawner, Gordon Brawner, and Ordean Brawner.

He is survived by his loving wife, Leonita Keen Brawner; his son, Michael Brawner; his daughter, Rita Brawner Doyle, and her husband, Rob Doyle; his granddaughters, Katherine Fesler and her husband, Ethan, of Fort Drum, New York, and Emily Lowry and her husband, Michael, of Joint Base Hickam, Hawaii; and his great-grandchildren, Bryce, Rhea, Elias, and Charlotte, who brought him immeasurable joy.

He will be remembered as a faithful preacher of the gospel, a shepherd to the churches he pastored, a veteran who served his country with pride, a devoted husband, and a man whose love for the Lord and his family was evident in every season of his life.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 11AM at Woodard Funeral Home in Westmoreland, Tennessee with Bro. Tanner Troutt officiating.  Visitation with the family will take place on Thursday afternoon from 2PM till 8PM and again on Friday prior to the service, 8AM till 11AM.  Following the service, Calvin will be laid to rest at Green Grove Cemetery, located between Westside and Hartsville, Tennessee, in Macon County.

In lieu of flowers the family request you make donations to the Green Grove Cemetery.  Mr. Michael Sutton will be accepting the donations on the family's behalf for the cemetery.  You can also make the donation at the office of Woodard Funeral Home.

The family has entrusted Woodard Funeral Home with the care of their loved one.  "Serving you as we would like to be served."