Mourning Mother Enters Pageant To Honor Late Child Killed At Golf Course

A Green Country mother is turning the devasting loss of her only child into determination to do something good.

Crissie Braddock said nothing will bring back her little boy, Arliss, so she is going to make him proud by encouraging others to find hope, even in darkness.

Braddock said her five-year-old son was her best friend and taught her about love.

She said they did everything together, especially spending time outside.

The mom from Tahlequah said her last memory with her only child was on June 15th, 2023.

They were golfing, something they had done many times.

"He was walking around, asking everybody if their hearts were happy and giving them hugs and asking if it made them happy, telling everybody he loved them, that Jesus loved them,” said Braddock.

What started as a fun day at the golf course turned into unimaginable pain.

"My whole world literally crumbled underneath that truck,” said Braddock.

Braddock said she was just feet from Arliss when another golfer accidentally ran over him, killing her little boy.

"I would love to give the man a hug and tell him I forgive him,” said Braddock. “There is nothing in the world that neither one of us can do to make that happen."

Days later, Braddock found a note in her truck from the day Arliss died that reads, "I love my mom and my dad and Jesus too.”

Now, Braddock is turning sorrow into self-love, focusing on healing.

At 43 years old, she is trying on evening gowns and entering her first pageant, an idea she got from a friend.

She will represent Oklahoma in the Nation of States Pageant, which will be held in Texas on the first anniversary of Arliss' death.

She said she is doing it for herself and for him.

"I could just hear him, if he were here, and he'd be like, 'Wow, mom, you look like a princess,'" said Braddock.

She said no matter the outcome of the pageant, her life mission will always be to honor Arliss by spreading positivity.

"It's in my mind when I wake up in the morning, but I wake up every day and I look outside and I see the beauty in things and tell Arliss, "Hi Arliss, I love you," said Braddock.