Mrs. Zelma Ruby Lewis Bragg, transitioned from this life to the next quietly at home, surrounded by family on December 17, 2022.  She was born in Gilmerton (Chesapeake), Virginia on September 30, 1925, the youngest daughter of the late Jehu and Kate Lewis.

She was educated in the public and Catholic Schools in Chesapeake and Portsmouth.  With Encouragement from a neighbor, she applied to and was accepted at Elizabeth City State Teacher's College; from which she graduated in 1947.  She arrived on the Eastern Shore and was employed by the Northampton County School Board in 1948.  Her first assignment was at Jamesville Elementary, a one room school, where she taught grades 1-7.  The next year, she transferred to Capeville Elementary school.

In 1948, she met Otis Bragg and after a two-year courtship, they were married in 1950.  Their union was blessed with two children, DeOtis in 1954 and Charles in 1962.

Zelma's next teaching assignment was at Machipongo Elementary School where she taught third grade; later becoming the reading specialist.  She remained in this position until her retirement in 1987.  Known to be a gifted teacher she was asked to return to fill a vacancy at Charles Elementary School.  She continued to act as a substitute at various schools in the County for twelve years.  Gwen Coghill, former principal of Kiptopeke Elementary School, remarked on Zelma's ability to step in and lovingly calm down classes and prepare them to learn.

Mom was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Epicureans Emeritus, The Silhouettes, a charter member of Club Chautauqua and a dedicated member of First Baptist Church.  She initiated the Annual Sacrificial Day at First Baptist Church.

Zelma was honored as Mother of the Year in 2017 by First Baptist, recognized by the NAACP as a trailblazer in 2018 and by the Northampton County Alumni Association as an outstanding educator.

She is survived by her daughter, DeOtis Davis (Jonathan), son Charles Bragg (Melody); granddaughters; Brittany Lewis (Justin), Allison Bragg, Lindsay Bragg, and Tyler Bragg.  Great granddaughter, Hayden Bragg; Godchildren; Henderson Sisco, Jr. and Deboah Sisco, a number of nieces, nephews, friends, all the children she has loved over her 49 years of teaching and her First Baptist Church Family.