Cora Eaves Braynon, a native of Louisville, Ky., passed away on Friday, Sept. 16, following a brief illness. Cora Braynon, a resident of Broward County, since 1955, spent her entire career in public heath - as a nurse, educator, and administrator and as a North Broward Hospital District (NBHD) commissioner. Mrs. Braynon received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and a master's in public health from the University of Michigan.
Mrs. Braynon was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the North Broward Hospital District board in 1999 and reappointed in 2003. Her last role was that of vice chair. Mrs. Braynon also served on numerous District committees including the Executive Committee, Joint Conference Committee, Minority Business Enterprise Committee, and the Quality Assessment/Oversight Committee.
'Mrs. Braynon's entire career was dedicated to the profession of nursing and health administration. She was a life-long crusader for better healthcare for the residents of Broward County,' said Wil Trower, president/CEO, NBHD. 'It was an absolute honor to have her as a board member and work with her over the years. Her passing is a tremendous loss personally, and to the entire District family.'
The NBHD, providing service for more than 50 years, is a community health system offering a full spectrum of healthcare services. The District encompasses more than 30 healthcare facilities, including Broward General Medical Center, North Broward Medical Center, Imperial Point Medical Center, Coral Springs Medical Center and Chris Evert Children's Hospital.
Prior to receiving the appointment as commissioner of the NBHD, Mrs. Braynon was the first Black registered nurse employed by the Broward County Health Department. She served as Senior Executive Nursing Director for 18 years and retired in 1994. Mrs. Braynon was also an instructor at Broward Community College, Florida Atlantic University and an adjunct faculty member of Barry University Adult and Community Education Program. She also served on the Advisory Council on Nurse Education, Division of Nursing for the Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services.
Aside from her commitment to public health, Cora Braynon served 52 years as a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority. She was a pioneer in developing programs for teenage mothers and healthy babies and moms. Her interests were reflected in her sorority work where she implemented the Reaching Adolescent Parents Program. She was also devoted to the Delteen youth program, where she mentored many young women on their role and commitment to finer womanhood. Mrs. Braynon, the immediate past president of the Broward County Alumnae Chapter, served three terms as president. Additionally, she served on regional and national committees of the sorority.
Cora Eaves Braynon leaves to mourn her beloved husband, Ronald W. Braynon, Jr.; three children: Oscar J. Braynon (Patricia), of Miami, Fla.; two daughters: Andrea A. Braynon, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Terri Braynon Glasford (Jason), of Miramar, Fla.; one sister, Carrie Eaves Evans (Willis), of Louisville, Ky.; one brother, Frank Eaves (Ella) of Prospect, Ky.; one brother-in-law, Roger Forbes of Fenton, Mich.; sisters-in-law: Betty Sharpe of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. and Rosemary Braynon of North Miami, Fla.; grandchildren: Oscar Braynon, II, Jina Braynon and Marina Braynon-Moore, a host of nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.
Funeral arrangements for Commissioner Braynon are as follows: The wake is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church Multi-Purpose Center, 1750 East Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Delta Education & Life Development Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 9504, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310, earmarked for the Cora Eaves Braynon Scholarship to benefit students pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Article copyright BI-ADs, Inc.
Photograph (Mrs. Braynon)
