Julius Milton Braden was born on September 1, 1953 in Shreveport, LA, the eldest son of Ella Doncontell (Braden).

He spent his earliest years surrounded by family in Natchitoches, LA. In 1964, Julius’ family moved to Port Arthur, TX, where he was baptized and raised by his mother and loving stepfather, J.W. Doncontell.

Upon his stepfather’s death in 1969, Julius embraced the part of a role model and source of love and support to his sister and four brothers, Ella Doris Wiggins (Doncontell) of Port Arthur, TX, wife of Earnest Wiggins; John Doncontell of Port Arthur, TX, husband of Rachel Doncontell; Robert Doncontell of Flint, MI, husband of Kesha Horton; Clyde Doncontell of Southgate, MI and Lawrence Doncontell of Surprise, AZ.

Julius, an alumnus of Lincoln High School in Port Arthur, matriculated at Prairie View A&M University in 1972 at the age of seventeen.

A Dean’s List scholar at Prairie View, he especially enjoyed electronics related coursework.

He excelled academically and through his participation in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Upon graduation with a bachelor’s degree in 1975, Julius began a career in engineering sales, traveling across the country and eventually moving to Houston, TX.

In Houston, Julius was introduced to his wife, Carnelliue Styles Braden of Alexandria, LA.

The two wed at Windsor Village United Methodist Church in 1984, where he maintained an active and lifelong membership, and he began an entrepreneurial career in home maintenance and construction.

The Braden family grew to include two daughters, Jennifer Braden Powell (wife of Shrenwick Powell) of Rye, NY and Kimberly Braden of Houston, TX.

He was also blessed with his beloved and only granddaughter, Ilana, the child of his eldest daughter.

Julius, a family man and devoted volunteer for the Children’s Ministry of his church home for nearly two decades, was a faithful and joyful Christian who studied the Bible daily and demonstrated a special love, care and patience for children.

He enjoyed fishing and playing chess, especially with his granddaughter Ilana.

The sun set unexpectedly on Julius’ earthly journey on the evening of January 16, 2020.

He leaves to celebrate and honor his memory his mother; wife; two daughters; four brothers; one sister; one granddaughter; two aunts, Asalie “Ivory Lee” Johnson (Braden) and Ruthie Jean Johnson (Braden), both of Natchitoches, LA; two uncles, Claudell Braden of New Caney, TX and Samuel Braden of Lancaster, CA; a great uncle, Josiah Casson of Natchitoches, LA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25 at Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, TX at 9:30 AM, to be followed by a celebration of his life at 10:30 AM, burial at noon at Houston Memorial Gardens in Pearland, TX and a repast at Windsor Village’s Moon Hall.