Annie "Ann" Bragg

Annie "Ann" Bragg, resident of Allure Assistant Living in Zion, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026, at the age of 87.

Ann was born on August 21, 1938, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Arthur and Berlie Bennett. During her youth, Ann and Danny moved back and forth from Alabama to California with their parents, before settling in Wilmington. Ann attended Phineas Banning Senior High School, graduating in 1957. She joined the WACS Army Core in 1960, where she met John when they were both stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. They got married in October 1962 in Winthrop Harbor, IL. They were married for fifty-seven years until John's passing in June 2019. While they were stationed in West Germany, they had Sherri, their first-born child. After their service with the Army was up, John, Ann and Sherri returned to the States and settled in Winthrop Harbor, IL. Second daughter Shannon joined the family. Ann was a stay-at home mom for many years, then was employed by Plasco Plastics in Gurnee, IL. In 1982, Ann worked at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (now City of Hope) in the Housekeeping Department, until her retirement in 2003. Ann and John retired to Tecumseh, MO, along with their best friends, Jean and Norman Luna. They even lived next door to each other! Ann became a member of the First Baptist Church in Gainesville, MO. She was an avid animal lover enjoying the company of her cats, dogs and hummingbirds. She donated regularly to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Ann also enjoying playing Bingo, playing the slots in casinos, going on trips with the seniors on the shuttle to Battlefield Mall in Springfield, MO. She also enjoyed taking naps, reading murder mysteries, doodling and drawing pictures. She enthusiastically shared John's passion for motorcycle riding. John and Ann owned a 1988 Honda Gold Wing touring bike; always going on road trips, having traveled most of the mainland USA. Norman and Jean joined John and Ann on their own Gold Wing, turning the duo into a foursome; traveling the highways and byways like four senior teenagers! When John passed away in 2019, Ann moved back to Illinois, settling in Beach Park, IL. Elizabeth Siems welcomed Ann into her home, until 2023 when both Ann and Elizabeth developed health issues and could no longer reside in the house without constant care.

Ann was known for her quiet demeanor but could sometimes be very outspoken. She will be missed, and we are sure she is reunited with John and her many fur babies in that wonderful Heavenly Home.

The Bragg family wish to sincerely thank Allure and Heartland Hospice for all the wonderful attentive care they gave Ann.

She is survived by her daughters Sherri Bragg of Zion, IL and Shannon Barber of San Diego, CA. Son-in-law David Barber of San Diego, CA. Her brother Danny Bennett of Pleasant Prairie, WI. Sisters-in-law Susan Bennett of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Irene Bragg of Zion, IL. She is also survived by many nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, great-grand nephews and great-grandnieces and cousins, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband John. Her parents Arthur and Berlie Bennett. Her in-laws Willie and Mary Alma Bragg. Her brothers-in-law Miller Bragg and Joe Bragg. Her sisters-in-law Eileen Bragg and Elizabeth Siems. Her nephews Ken Wilcox and Richard Reboulet. Her great grandniece Elizabeth "Lily" Laughton. And her best friends for over 45 years, Jean and Norman Luna.

There will be a celebration of Ann's life at Congdon Funeral Home in spring of next year.

Date of Event to be announced. Then her ashes along with John's, her beloved Silky Terrier Ginger. and her favorite cat Mamma Cat's ashes will be taken to Phillips Chapel Cemetery in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to be spread on her parents' graves.

In leu of flowers please consider visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary at https//bestfriends.org and donate, sponsor an animal, or purchase merchandise from their store.