Gerald Ellis Braswell

Gerald Ellis Braswell, 89, of Asheboro, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, at his home following a brief illness. Mr. Braswell was the oldest son of Robert Glenn and Frances Alma Baucom Braswell. He was born Feb. 23, 1932, in Unionville, N.C., where he was raised. He earned undergraduate and masters' degrees in mathematics and physical education from East Carolina Teachers College, which he attended on a boxing scholarship. He began teaching math in Clayton, N.C., where he met his wife Ruth Weaver Taylor Braswell who died in 2005. Mr. Braswell became a principal in Millingport in Stanly County before coming to Randolph County to serve as principal of Seagrove High School during the first years of integration. He was a fearless leader and fervent believer in desegregation, enduring the tension and backlash of those times. He brought boxing to Randolph County with his beloved Seagrove Boxing Club, carrying a team of athletes to matches across the state for many years and later brought boxing to Central Gym in east Asheboro. In his final months, he expressed a warm remembrance and appreciation of the Piney Ridge community, and carried great memories from his years in Seagrove. Mr. Braswell finished his career in education as principal of Tabernacle Elementary School, and upon retirement, went to work for almost four decades as the founder of Braswell Builders. In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. Braswell was preceded in death by his brother Douglas Glenn Braswell of New York City and a grandson-in-law Chris Cook of Shelby. He is survived by his six children and their spouses: Ann B. Greene and her husband, Roger, of Farmer; Rob and Sharon Braswell of Fuquay-Varina; Jane Braswell and Frank Skinner of Asheboro; Mark and Jan Braswell of Asheboro; Mary B. Ray of Apex; and Martha B. and Randy Marsh of Asheboro. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Eliza Ruth Greene of Shelby; Lesley G. Jessup of Trinity; Bailey Greene and husband Greg Lewis of Durham; Jonathan Braswell and Taylor Braswell, both of Holly Springs; Wil Mahan and wife Kristine of Asheboro; Chelsea Mahan and husband Adam Cayton of Pensacola, Fla.; Levi Mahan of Seagrove; Kaitlin B. Johnson and husband Reed of Cary; Allison Braswell of Spartanburg, S.C.; Andrew Braswell of Asheboro; Shaina R. Rasmussen and husband Alex of Raleigh; Caleb Ray of Cary; Nowell Ray of Anderson, S.C.; Isaac Ray of Apex; Kendra Cox and fiancé Jason Sutton of Wayne, N.Y., and Ben Cox of Washington, D.C. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Damon and Joel Cook of Shelby, Silas Jessup of Trinity, Owen Johnson of Cary, Maeve Cayton of Pensacola, Emmett Sutton of Wayne, and Aliyah Mahan of Asheboro; his longtime friend Dinah Burrows; a nephew Harold Braswell and his family of St. Louis, Mo.; his sister Patricia Johnson and husband Van of Monroe, and many nieces and nephews, and their families. The family will see friends Sunday afternoon, May 23, from 3-6 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home, 908 Albemarle Road, Asheboro, and other times at the home of Jane Braswell of 3762 High Pine Church Road, Asheboro. A private family service will be held at a later time at Seagrove United Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Seagrove United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 225 W. Main St., Seagrove, NC 27341; Piney Ridge United Methodist Church, 4926 Piney Ridge Methodist Church Road, Seagrove, NC 27341; or CUOC, 930 S. Fayetteville St., Asheboro, NC 27203.