Bertha Alice “Babs” Brainard, 91, a longtime resident of Prairie City, passed away at John Day, on Sunday, November 16, 2003.
Babs was born May 29, 1912 in Canby, Oregon to Noah Mac and Suzanna Crawford, and was raised in the Madras area. She married Ben Brainard in Fossil, Oregon on July 18, 1929, and with her husband lived most of the time in Grant County.
She was quite active in the outdoors with her husband, and in about 1970 became the Justice of the Peace at Prairie City.
She is mostly remembered here as the spark behind the improvements of the DeWit Museum, housed in the former Sumpter Valley Railroad Prairie City depot, and was curator for many years. It was her drive that got the depot building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, She retired from that position following her 90th birthday.
Survivors include a son, Miles V. Brainard of Belfair, Washington, and daughters, Jean Perkins of Port Orchard, Wash., and Carol Voigt of Prairie City. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ben, on 1957 a son Lloyd, as well as six brothers and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Grant County.
There are no services planned for Mrs. Brainard.
Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day was in charge of arrangements.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, November, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor