Long time Texarkana resident, Mrs. Ellen May (Caldwell) Brainerd, 85, passed from this life, Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at her home at Green Oaks Place, following a lengthy illness.

Ms. Brainerd was born Ellen May Caldwell on Christmas day, 1935 in Hickman, KY to Arthur M. and Effie Rudicil Caldwell. She married Ralph Curtis Brainerd from Haynes, AR in 1955, who preceded her in death following 65 years of marriage. Also preceding her in death was Mrs. Vickie Brainerd, (wife of Timothy). After establishing their home in Texarkana 1967, she and her husband raised four children who survive her: Ralph C. "Sonny" Brainerd Jr. (Freida), Timothy Brainerd (Carolyn) of New Boston, TX, Mark M. Brainerd (Debbie) of Kingston, AR, and Gwendolyn E. Trover, (Roger), of Spring Hill, TN. Surviving also is her sister, Mrs. Cecelia Clifton of Little Rock, AR, and sister-in-law Mrs. Zana Brainerd Minchew, (Morris), of Hallsville, TX.

Ellen was the proud grandmother to fourteen grandchildren: Amy Ware (T.Y) of Texarkana, Judi Sams (Scott), Benton, AR, Timothy Brainerd Jr. No. Richland Hills, TX, Ashley Brainerd, who resided with her grandmother and was her special care giver , Stephanie Wright (Bryan), of Texarkana, Gregory Knowles (Krislyn) of Genoa, AR, Seth Brainerd (Shawna), Texarkana, Sonny Brainerd of Roger's AR, Nick Knowles (Brittany) of Genoa, AR,, Angela Gill (Riley) Melissa, TX, , Hunter Brainerd, and Cody Brainerd, both from Dallas TX, and, and Heather Hinson, Bryant, AR, and Kaden Wells of Texarkana, AR. She also has seventeen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Texarkana, AR.

Funeral Arrangements will be conducted by the Morgan Funeral Home in Forrest City, AR, Sunday October 17, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. at the Morgan Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at the Forrest Park Cemetery, Forrest City AR

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Hospice of Texarkana.