Patricia Anne Kleppinger Yarbrough Braud

Published 6:00 am Tuesday, May 28, 2013

    Patty Braud, affectionately called Jett by her family, was received into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, May 26, 2013, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.     Patty was born in New Mexico, but as an infant, came to live with her grandmother in Stonewall, Miss., later moving to Meridian. After graduating from Meridian High School in 1962, she married Jerry Yarbrough and started her career path as a Mother, the hardest, most underpaid job in the world.

    She loved her children unselfishly and unconditionally, and taught them to be independent, but most importantly she taught them that God is love and that His love is never-ending. Patty was extremely talented and used those talents in sewing for her children, decorating and flower arranging.

    Many stories have been told of her days in the Dig and Dream Garden Club, sneaking a flower or two from an unsuspecting neighbor’s yard, to complete an arrangement for a flower show. Of course, she had accomplices who will remain un-named, as they know who they are.

    She and Jerry raised their family across from Highland Park, where grandparents and family were nearby to nurture and help with the upbringing of their children. Patty showed tremendous strength and courage after Jerry’s sudden death in 1982, and she called upon God to show His grace and mercy in those distressful days.

    In 1993, after finding love again, she married Patrick Braud and they embarked upon a new adventure, because with Patty, there was always excitement and fun and always a project! Together, they moved a church, a farmhouse and parts of two other houses to a lot at Dalewood Lake, where it was reassembled into a dream home. It has been a place for the family to gather for special occasions, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving  and to celebrate birthdays, weddings, and graduations. Patty poured her heart and soul into decorating and designing the home and she truly loved being able to read her books, tinker in her garden  or play with her special dogs, Bebe and Beau, with the lake as her backyard.

    Her grandchildren were a joy to her and the reason for her being called Jett. Upon learning she would be a grandmother for the first time, she made it very clear that she was way too young to be a Granny, Grandma or any other names that would indicate  such. She chose the “hip and cool” name, Jett, her childhood dream name, and 25 years later, that is what she is called by most everyone who knows her.

    When asked to describe their Jett, the grands said: strong, beautiful, loving, sassy, eccentric, hilarious, generous, faithful,  supportive, always genuine, God-fearing, cheerful, talented, protective, colorful, free spirit, charismatic, joyful, a hoarder, stylin’, crazy fun, funny, and caring. What a beautiful way to be remembered by those you love the most.

    One of the sweetest tributes was from granddaughter, Caitlyn, who wrote, “My beautiful, funny, crazy, always-stylin’ grandmother went to heaven this morning. I am so grateful for the 23 years I got to spend with our Jett. I can’t blame God for wanting to take her up sooner than we wanted to let her go. So grateful she’s not in pain anymore, and she got the most precious gift ever, today! She got to see Jesus’ face! I can’t wait to join you someday, sweet Jett! Thank you, Jesus, for making it possible.”

    Patty’s genuine smile and loving heart will be missed by her friends and family, including her husband of almost 20 years, Pat Braud, and children, Kristy Fuller(Fred), Cindy Page (Jim), Suzy Sims, Brad Sims, Lowry Yarbrough (Jenny), and step-daughter, Sarah Braud.

    Her beloved grandchildren: Clark Bullock, Brette Bullock Harman (Jason), Christopher Bullock, Caitlyn Page, Jamie Blair Page, Keaton Page, Case Page, Braden Sims, Cohlby Sims, Lillie Mae and Vivi Leigh Yarbrough. Sisters-in-law, Leta Yarbrough and Janet Garrett; brothers-in-law, Mike Braud, Timothy Braud, David Braud, and Daniel Braud; and in-laws, Neelis William Braud and Bernice Patterson Braud. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry Yarbrough; son, Robert Jerry Yarbrough, Jr.; her mother, Christine Pearson Kleppinger; father, Paul Kleppinger; and grandparents, C.C. And Bessie Pearson.

    Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2013 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2013, before the Celebration of  Life at First Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Burial will be held in Meridian Memorial Park Cemetery.

    In lieu of flowers, and because of Patty’s love of animals, please make donations  in her honor to the The Lucky Dog Retreat, 385 Grand Oak Drive, Meridian, MS 39305.