Marilyn Sue Brackney
September 24, 1953 - December 21, 2022
Marilyn Sue (Morlan) Brackney, 69, of Brazil, Indiana, passed away on December 21, 2022 following a brave 16 month battle with Ovarian Cancer of which she never complained.
Marilyn was born on September 24, 1953, in Brazil, Indiana the daughter of Ray and Norma (Hatfield) Morlan. Most of her school years she grew up in Reelsville and attended Reelsville Schools. She graduated from Brazil High School with the class of 1971. After high school Marilyn went on to Indiana State University with BS and MS degrees in Special Education. While at ISU, Marilyn met her future husband, Jerry Brackney. They married on December 23, 1976. After graduation Jerry joined the United States Army and Marilyn taught in the Department of Defense Schools overseas and at post schools in Kentucky, Colorado, Arizona, and Hawaii. After Jerry retired from the Army, and they returned to Brazil, Marilyn completed her teaching career with a sixteen-year tour as head of the Otter Creek middle-schools special needs department. Marilyn’s devotion to her students was legendary and her programs and teaching techniques have been widely emulated by other schools in and out of the corporation.
Marilyn was well known for her consistent good nature and even temperament. She was a Master Gardner with pictures of her garden appearing in several gardening publications. Marilyn and her daughter Kate regularly participated in 5K events throughout central Indiana. She loved Saturday Shopping with her daughter, showing her Llardo Collection, researching family history, and Sunday Dinners with her family. Marilyn’s very special love was found in her passion as a Cat Rescuer. She had, over the course of 25 years, spayed, neutered, and found loving homes for over 200 cats and kittens.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Norma Morlan, an infant brother Roy David, and a sister Melissa.
Marilyn is survived by her husband Major (Ret.) U.S. Army Jerry L. Brackney; beloved daughter Kate Elaine Raeburn and husband Steven; 3 brothers: Ed Kirkpatrick of Danville, Illinois, Joseph Morlan of Louisville, Kentucky, and Steven of Terre Haute, Indiana; best friend Mary Fielding of Reelsville, special cousin Cheryl Steuerwald of Brazil, Indiana, special niece Erin Heflin and husband John of Muncie, Indiana and special friend Linda Cooper of Brazil.
Visitation will be at Lawson-Miller Chapel 1702 E. National Ave. Brazil, Indiana on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Services will be at the funeral home, at 1:00 PM, with burial to follow at Clearview Cemetery.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society 3380 Chastain Meadows Pkwy NW, Suite 200 Kennesaw, GA 30144 or the Clay County Humane Society 8280 N County Rd 125 W #7535, Brazil, IN 47834 .
