Edith "Rue" Bralley

Edith Rue Smitherman Bralley, 86, of Amarillo, TX went to the arms of Jesus on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Rue was born to Jack and Aileen Smitherman on November 7, 1938, in Dimmitt, TX. She was welcomed by her two older sisters, Pollyanna and Patsy, and brother, Tony. She attended schools in Hart, TX and graduated high school in 1956. Rue excelled at academics and sports. She loved playing basketball and was named “most athletic” and salutatorian of her senior class. After graduating cosmetology school, she began a 50-year career as a hairdresser. Rue met and in 1960 married the love-of-her-life, John Guy Ford, Jr., and they had four children, Melinda, Michelle, John Guy, and Ann Marie. She was an amazing mom and loved her children very much. She met Joe Bob Bralley and married in 1990.

Rue had an infectious joy and loved people with her whole heart. She was a wonderful mother, Meme, and aunt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Bob, her parents, and siblings.

Rue is survived by her children, Melinda Walden, and husband Cory, Michelle Dunham, John Guy Ford, and Ann Marie Meissner and husband Brent; her amazing grandchildren, Amber Claxton and husband Nate, Keeton Walden and wife Kristen, Emily Albracht and husband Nicholas, Kenzie Hardon and husband Steven, Madelyn Albracht, Jenson Dunham, Lynde Mitchell and husband Briggs, Kealey Dunham, Briley Ford, Jeremiah Ford, and Jarrod Holliday and wife Ali. Her heart brimmed with joy whenever she was around her great-grandchildren, Lily Kate Walden, Mila Ren Claxton, Abby Claire Walden, Clark Ford Claxton, Hawkins Charles Hardon, and Hallie Jane Hardon, as well as when she was with her many nieces and nephews.