Fans of the talented Braxton family are still shocked by the death of Traci Braxton. Traci died from complications of a private year-long battle with esophageal cancer. Multiple reports from media outlets and bloggers have stated that Traci’s husband and family have been estranged over his decision to have a funeral and public memorial. Tamar Braxton recently confirmed such.
The family have been at odds with Traci’s husband over public memorial plans
Memorial service plans were announced on March 30 in an Instagram post on Traci’s verified page. The memorial was live-streamed the following day and several fans were able to reserve seats online at attend in person. But sources close to the family alleged that the Braxtons were in opposition and chose not to attend the memorial or the private funeral held a week previously.
“Traci did not want a funeral or wake,” an insider told Page Six. “She did not want people looking all over her body. She specifically requested to be immediately cremated…There was a Zoom meeting that made it clear about what she wanted, and now her husband is trying to cash in on her name.”
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But Kevin Surratt Sr., Traci’s husband of 25 years, said otherwise. He spoke with Page Six personally and said that he followed Traci’s requests to the T.
“I was with my wife..more than anybody in this world,” Surratt said. “I know my wife, and when she got cancer, we really started to communicate about funeral plans and I was still trying to find treatments for her and I went to every single one of her doctor appointments throughout our entire marriage. That’s how we were, and now they’re treating me like a [deadbeat] husband,” he added. He shot down rumors that he was planning a funeral months before Traci’s death without her knowledge.
He claimed that Traci “wanted a viewing and one memorial service in conjunction with her management, PR and other members to come together and celebrate her.” He says he is disappointed by the family being on the outs.
Tamar Braxton says they honored Traci’s wishes
The Braxton family held their own celebration of life ceremony in honor of what would have been Traci’s 51st birthday on April 2.
While co-hosting Dish Nation on April 20, she explained the toll Traci’s passing has taken on the family. Several famous faces, including Nene Leakes and Keke Wyatt attended the event and photos were taken by Freddy O.
Surratt Sr. did not attend, nor did he say he received an invite. Traci’s only son, Kevin Jr., attended the event.
“The truth is my family is really hanging in there. It’s been very difficult, as you can imagine. We were just there with her by her side ’til the end,” she said. “The celebration of life as you guys saw wasn’t actually a celebration of life. It was actually her heavenly birthday. My sister was very particular, and she didn’t want a funeral. She didn’t want anything where everyone was going to be sad.”
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The sisters also honor Traci by wearing her ashes in a special necklace.
“We also all as sisters have hummingbird lockets. It’s a locket because her ashes are actually in it. We all have one,” Tamar explained. “The reason being is because she wanted to go everywhere we all went. Even if I don’t have it on, it’s in my purse. It’s in my bag, it’s close to me.”
