At first glance, Buford and Earline Brackin’s life together seemed exhausting.
They had to work as sharecroppers to supplement his income as a preacher. Buford was pastor of four different Baptist churches in Alabama — Walden Chapel, New Salem, Flower Hill and Ford City. He also preached at 65 others.
Upon closer inspection, though, this late couple’s legacy proves to be an amazing testimony to the faithfulness of God and to the wisdom of these godly parents.
From Buford and Earline’s five children came 17 grandchildren, and from those grandchildren came 36 great-grandchildren.
Out of these three generations came pastors, deacons, youth ministers, Sunday School teachers, choir members, church builders, Christian singers, a Christian writer and a pastoral counselor.
How does a family foster this kind of faith? The answer may rest in the way Buford led his family.
He taught his family sound doctrine.
Salvation by grace
Daughter Vona Elkins remembers being taught that salvation is by grace alone and not by works. She said this was a message often heard in her father’s sermons and at home.
Described as a “hellfire and brimstone” preacher, Buford stood up for his beliefs.
He wanted to make sure his family was prepared to share the gospel. Reba Sibley, another daughter, said sharing her FAITH training is a natural extension of the training she received at home.
It could be said that the Brackin family faced difficulties with steel in their spines. Perhaps prayer was the source of this unwavering confidence.
When Wayne Brackin, one of their sons, was is Vietnam, Buford asked several men to come to the barn where Wayne had played as a boy.
Together in the barn, the men prayed for Wayne’s safe return.
Those prayers were answered. Wayne still draws comfort from knowing that Buford, along with other men, were interceding for him during that terrible time.
Buford also taught his family thankfulness.
He prayed often, “We thank you, Lord, that things are as well with us as they are.”
And if his children ever began a meal without thanking God, he would say, “You all remind me of pigs eating acorns under a tree and never looking up to see where they came from.”
He taught them to give generously, not under compulsion but from a cheerful heart.
In a note to Buford thanking him for a financial gift, Grady Bradford, an evangelist from Littleville, wrote, “I don’t have any friends anywhere better to me and my preaching than you and your fine family.”
A love of music
The Brackin family was and continues to be a musical family. Buford played the harmonica and Earline played the organ. They communicated the joy of worship in song to their family.
The family, in turn, also enjoyed camaraderie and harmony as each member learned hymns that speak to the soul and teach about the Lord.
In the Brackin family, obedience was expected.
Buford was much more strict than is accepted today. He guarded his children’s eyes, ears and hearts closely and trained them to obey him so that they could more easily obey God.
Hospitality was treasured in the Brackin home. With their humble means, the Brackins “fed a lot of preachers and singers,” daughter Barbara Stewart said.
Earline always welcomed another mouth to the table. After the meal, the men would often gather to discuss their understanding of the Scriptures.
Stewart said they would argue and debate, but their differences did not divide them. Instead, they looked forward to the next cherished debate.
The married couple also taught by example, Buford always wanted Earline with him. Embodying godly submission, Earline rarely stayed more than one night away from him.
Working the fields, traveling to preach or meeting the demands of daily life, the family learned to lean on each other and to work together to accomplish the tasks before them.
Close-knit family
The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren lean on each other and still maintain a close-knit, loving manner with each other that proves quite admirable.
Despite appearances, this family was not perfect. There were problems and hurts. They are self-described as dysfunctional.
But they were instructed in the Word, loved, trained, encouraged and taught that they needed each other.
A favorite verse of Buford’s communicates the incredible testimony of his family: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30).
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