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Captain Barbara “Barb” J. Brackens

June 29, 1941 - July 12, 2026
Visitation
Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church
8415 W. Bradley Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53224
(414) 355-0931 |
Friday 7/24, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Service
Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church
8415 W. Bradley Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53224
(414) 355-0931 |
Friday 7/24, 11:00 am
Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery
6401 North 43rd Street
Milwaukee, WI 53209

Captain Barbara Jean Brackens was born on June 29, 1941, in Batchelor, La., to the union of Allen Stribling Sr. and Fannie Mae Stribling Bady. She was the third of nine children. She accepted the Lord Jesus and was baptized at an early age at Antioch Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La., under the leadership of Robert West Sr., Pastor. In 1968, she relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She rededicated her life to the Lord and became a faithful member of The Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Christopher Boston until her death.

The 23rd Psalm was her favorite passage of scripture. Psalm 23 was a guiding force as she completed her education and became a Registered Nurse. She also pursued her dream of serving her country by joining the United States Army Reserve as a Second Lieutenant and retiring as a Captain. She retired as an RN from the VA hospital and as a school nurse from the City of Milwaukee’s Public School System. Her belief in the 23rd Psalm was evident throughout her life and work.

Barbara leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband of 48 years, Elvin Brackens; granddaughter, Alijah Griffin (Reginald); great-grandson, Randy Harrison; and a precious great-granddaughter, Janiya Griffin, all of Milwaukee, WI. In addition, she leaves a brother, Alfred “AC” Stribling; two sisters, Donna (Johnny) Barrow and Vashiti (Frederick) Bratton of Baton Rouge, La.; two brothers-in-law, Hamp (Lona) Brackens of Memphis, TN, and Le Vorn (Jeanette) of Humboldt, TN and a sister-in-law, Deloris Brackens of Milwaukee, WI. 3 stepsisters, Shirley Holden, Pamela Castle of Baton Rouge, La. And Glenda Wilson of Riverside, Ca. Barbara was affectionately known as “Tee Barbara” to all of her adoring nieces and nephews that loved her dearly, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Barbara departed this life on Sunday, July 12, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen Stribling Sr., Fannie Stribling Bady, stepfather Thomas Bady Sr., her two loving sons, Christopher and Randy Bell, her loving daughter-in-law Patsy Bell, her precious grandson Randy Harrison, and her beloved siblings, Mary Roberson, Allen Stribling Jr., Shelton Stribling Sr., Dorothy Lewis (Aaron), and Patty Burrell.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24, at Lamb of God Missionary Church, 8415 West Bradley Road, Milwaukee, WI from 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM. Service at 11:00 AM. Procession to Graceland to follow.

Portrait of a smiling woman with short dark hair, glasses, and a light gray blazer against a blue backdrop.
Black-and-white photo of four friends posing together indoors with arms around each other.
Portrait of a woman in a vintage white nurse uniform with a small white cap, smiling at the camera.
A man rides a bicycle with two kids on a sunny driveway in front of a white house with a window behind them.
Young boy in a light sweater beside an adult woman in a red blouse and pearl necklace in a studio portrait
Three-generation family portrait: grandmother center, man wearing glasses to the right, and a young girl on the left smiling.
Two smiling people pose beside a maroon vehicle; man in a cap makes a peace sign while woman in light blouse stands next to him.
Soldier in camouflage uniform standing beside a tent-like beige fabric indoors, wearing a cap and looking to the side.
Smiling man wearing a straw hat and sunglasses, playing a guitar, seen as a reflection in a window with a parking lot and coastline in the background
A group of family members outdoors in a grassy yard, some sitting on chairs and others standing, smiling and chatting.
Happy couple posing together, man in blue T-shirt and jeans, woman in a black polka-dot blouse, tropical plants in the background. 'Carnival Paradise' sign is visible at top edge.
Two people smiling together at night: a person in a light gray suit with a red top and a person in a red ceremonial coat with gold trim beside them.
Two women posing together at a festive event; one in a white outfit and glasses, the other wearing an elaborate feathered headdress with face paint.
Two pilots smile and give thumbs up in a cockpit surrounded by avionics and gauges.
Smiling elderly woman in a brown floral dress with a young man in a blue Nike hoodie; his mask hangs from one ear, indoors.
Smiling woman in a green jacket holding a baby with a blue pacifier indoors.
Group photo of ten people wearing matching white T-shirts with a tree graphic, seated on chairs in a backyard yard.
Smiling African American woman wearing sunglasses and a white blazer, with a beaded necklace visible.
Two smiling adults posing indoors together; man in a red knit hat and black puffer jacket, woman wearing a black Nike cap and gray jacket beside him.
Diverse group of people wearing white T-shirts with a tree graphic posing for a group photo on a backyard lawn.
Seven adults pose outdoors in front of a white lattice fence, dressed in business and smart-casual attire, smiling at the camera.
Group of 14 adults posing for a photo on a beige couch and floor in a living room, smiling at the camera.
Six adults stand together smiling, with a framed portrait of a man in military uniform displayed on a stand in front of them.
A family group posing in a living room, six adults and one child smiling at the camera with warm wall tones in the background.
Group of six adults in formal attire posing together outdoors against a brown granite wall.
Seven women pose together for a group photo; the woman in white sits at center while others stand around her, smiling at an event.
Three women stand together in a bright kitchen/dining area, smiling for the camera near a stove and dining table set for a meal.
Large group of diverse people wearing matching white T-shirts with a tree graphic, posing on a backyard lawn.
Smiling elderly woman with short gray hair and glasses wearing a pale yellow sweater with pearl-like studs, seated indoors.
Smiling African American woman wearing glasses and a gray blazer, with short black and gray hair and dangling earrings.
Three people pose together indoors: an elderly woman seated in front wearing a white blazer and a floral skirt, flanked by a man in a red polo shirt and a smiling woman in a beige vest and white top against a yellow wall.
Smiling couple posing for a photo at a social gathering; woman in a black and white striped sleeveless dress, man in a metallic striped shirt and glasses.
Three women stand together in a home kitchen and dining area, smiling for the photo, with pots on the stove and a chandelier overhead.
Smiling woman with short dark hair and glasses, wearing a light blue blazer against a blue background (close-up portrait).
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Visitation
Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church
8415 W. Bradley Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53224
(414) 355-0931 | Map
Friday 7/24, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Service
Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church
8415 W. Bradley Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53224
(414) 355-0931 | Map
Friday 7/24, 11:00 am
Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery
6401 North 43rd Street
Milwaukee, WI 53209
Map
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Captain Barbara Jean Brackens was born on June 29, 1941, in Batchelor, La., to the union of Allen Stribling Sr. and Fannie Mae Stribling Bady. She was the third of nine children. She accepted the Lord Jesus and was baptized at an early age at Antioch Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La., under the leadershipContinue Reading

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