Erin Colleen Briggs Kracht

Erin Colleen Briggs Kracht, age 82, died peacefully at St. Joseph Hospital, Bryan, on April 24. Erin was born in Miami, Florida on June 8, 1940, and spent her childhood years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where her father was stationed as a pilot for Pan American Airlines. Her family later returned to Miami where she graduated from Coral Gables High School.

She is survived by her husband, James Benjamin Kracht of Bryan, Texas, daughter, Lillian Fletcher Anderton of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; sons Jonathan Philip Kracht of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Charles Christian Kracht (Heather), of Melba, Idaho; beloved grandchildren, Fletcher King of Dallas, James Anderton of Falls Church, Virginia, Margaret Anderton of Tuscaloosa; Maddisen Kracht Partridge (Carson) of Rexburg, Idaho, and Ben, Amee, and David Kracht of Melba, Idaho; sister Shannon Briggs Potter of Winter Springs, Florida, and brother Patrick Briggs (Ann Marie) of Kennebunkport, Maine, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Erin was preceded in death by her daughter Celeste Fletcher King, her brother, Roy “Sonny” Johnston, her parents Frank and Celeste Briggs, and her first husband Frederick Shields Fletcher.

Erin graduated from the University of Alabama (BA and MA) where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She so loved being a “Pi Phi” that she was actively involved with the local alumnae club and enjoyed annual reunions with her closest sorority sisters until she passed away. After graduating from college, Erin had a 30 year career as a teacher, first teaching high school English and Spanish in Montgomery, Alabama, and later teaching middle school social studies in Tuscaloosa.  After moving to Bryan-College Station, Erin taught classes at both Blinn College and Texas A&M University.

Erin was awarded several honors during her career, including a Fulbright Fellowship for Teachers to study the culture of Egypt and the Arabic language, an American Legion award for teaching, an award for outstanding teaching material from the National Council for Geographic Education, and an Outstanding Educator Award from the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University.

In 1988 Erin was selected as a consultant for the National Geographic Society, demonstrating to teachers in several states how to incorporate geography concepts and skills into social studies. It was through her travels that she met Jim Kracht, her soulmate and the love of her life.

Erin enjoyed volunteering and serving as a board member and officer with several civic, social, and charitable organizations including the Junior League of Tuscaloosa, the Friends Association of the Symphony Orchestra, the Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras, the Woman’s Club of Bryan/College Station, Friends of the Library, and the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library.

She was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Bryan, where she established the “Food Fairies” ministry to prepare meals for parishioners who were ill. Erin a member of Saint Andrew’s Altar Guild and the Episcopal Church Women, and served as a lector, intercessor, and greeter for Sunday services.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, May 13, 2023  at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in downtown Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Brazos Valley Food Bank or to Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church.