Why Traci Braxton’s Sisters Didn’t Attend Her Funeral.. | HO!!!!

VIRGINIA, USA — On a snowy morning in Virginia, Traci Braxton’s loved ones gathered to say goodbye. But as mourners filed in, fans and family watchers alike noticed a glaring absence: Traci’s own sisters, the famous Braxton women, were nowhere to be seen. The story behind their absence is deeper and more complicated than most ever knew, rooted in decades of pain, betrayal, and unresolved family drama.

A Sister Becomes a Snowflake

Traci Braxton’s passing in March 2022 from esophageal cancer was a devastating blow to her family and fans. Her niece described her as “a snowflake,” forever tied to that cold, snowy morning when she left this world. Yet, even in death, the wounds between Traci and her sisters—Toni, Tamar, Towanda, and Trina—remained raw. Some say Traci herself wanted nothing to do with them in her final moments, a reflection of a fractured relationship that had never truly healed.

The Rift That Never Closed

The Braxton sisters’ relationship with Traci was fraught with tension long before her passing. The roots of this divide go back to the early days of their music careers. In the 1990s, when the sisters landed their first record deal, Traci was pregnant. The label refused to sign her, pushing her aside while her sisters moved forward without her. “It felt like losing a limb,” Traci later recalled. “They became the Braxtons without me.”

That pain never fully faded. Traci spent years feeling excluded, not just from the music but from the family’s inner circle. Fans often called her the “wannabe Braxton,” a cruel label fueled by producers and the media. The sisters’ success brought them closer together, but Traci felt left behind, her creative dreams crushed by circumstances beyond her control.

Reality TV: Healing or Hurt?

When the family landed their reality show, Braxton Family Values, old wounds resurfaced. During the season 6 finale, the sisters traveled to Napa Valley for a family celebration. But the trip quickly soured over a series of confrontations. Traci’s husband, Kevin, handed out cigars to the men, which upset Tamar, who worried about her boyfriend’s professional image. The tension escalated when the sisters’ boyfriends tried to hold a “healing” meeting, a move Traci saw as disrespectful and intrusive.

Traci refused to participate, feeling her boundaries were being ignored. The production team pressed her to join, but she stood firm. Later, she accused Towanda of stirring up trouble and called her a “snake.” Kevin tried to defend Traci, but Tamar brought up his past legal troubles, further inflaming the situation. The family’s attempt at reconciliation collapsed, leaving Traci feeling more isolated than ever.

Betrayal Broadcasted

The reality show was supposed to bring the sisters together, but it often did the opposite. One of the most painful moments for Traci came when her sisters discussed her husband’s alleged infidelity on national television—without her consent. “I was really hurt to find out they discussed my marital problems on the show without my consent,” Traci shared in an interview. “I could not believe it. But then again, my sisters are nosy.”

For Traci, some things were meant to stay private, even in a family so used to living in the public eye. The betrayal stung deeply, reinforcing her sense of alienation.

The Solo Album That Wasn’t Celebrated

Traci’s attempts to carve out her own space in the music world met with little support from her sisters. When she released her first solo album, Crash and Burn, Tamar mocked the use of autotune on social media. The criticism was public and painful, showing that even in her personal achievements, Traci could not count on her sisters’ support.

Her second album, On Earth, received barely any promotion from Toni or Tamar, underscoring the cracks in their relationship. Traci felt abandoned by the very people who should have been her biggest cheerleaders.

Family Therapy and Failed Reconciliation

The Braxtons tried to heal their wounds through family therapy sessions with Iyanla Vanzant, host of Fix My Life. But the sessions only exposed deeper pain. Tamar revealed she’d been molested as a child, a secret she’d kept for years. Instead of bringing the sisters closer, the therapy led to more fighting—over contracts, money, and old grievances. Four sisters went on strike, refusing to film the show, while Traci continued with the network. Her sisters saw this as a betrayal, deepening the rift.

Even after the show, Traci admitted she felt unsupported and misunderstood. She said she was in a different place in her life and needed time to heal, especially after the loss of her niece Lauren, whom she’d raised as her own child.

The Final Goodbye

When Traci passed away, her husband, Kevin Surratt, planned a funeral service. Some Braxton family members did not attend, claiming the service was not what Traci would have wanted. Towanda and Trina defended their absence, saying Traci had specified in her will that she did not want a traditional funeral. “Traci said in her will that she didn’t want a funeral,” Trina explained. “We just wanted to respect her wishes.”

The disagreement highlighted ongoing tensions between Kevin and the Braxton sisters. Even in mourning, old issues resurfaced, making it harder to honor Traci’s memory peacefully.

Clearing the Air: Sisters Speak Out

Towanda and Trina later spoke out to dispel rumors about their relationship with Traci. Towanda insisted the “wannabe” label was created by outsiders, not family. She explained that the record deal exclusion was a business decision forced by the label, not a choice the sisters wanted to make. “We always loved Traci and performed with her whenever we could,” she said.

The sisters promised that their new series would honor Traci’s final wishes. The platform, they said, was now reserved for those who truly respected what Traci wanted.

A Message From Beyond

In a poignant episode of Braxton Family Values, Tamar sat down with a medium who claimed to channel Traci’s spirit. The medium said Traci was emotional and wanted to apologize for past hurts. “I love each and every one of you,” Traci’s message said. “Just remember, you’re my baby.” Tamar wiped away tears, feeling her sister’s love from beyond.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The Braxton sisters eventually found a way to move forward. At the season 6 premiere party, all five sisters spoke with Entertainment Tonight about their journey. Tamar said she was happy to be in a better place, and Towanda reflected on the importance of choosing happiness. Toni, as the eldest, emphasized that love never left their family, even when things got rough.

But for Traci, the pain of exclusion and betrayal was real and lasting. She made the difficult decision to separate business from family, focusing on healing and building a healthy bond away from cameras and contracts. “Sometimes you have to choose peace over money,” Traci said.

The Legacy of Traci Braxton

Traci’s story is a reminder that fame and family don’t always mix. Her struggles with exclusion, public humiliation, and betrayal left deep scars. Yet, her message to her sisters—and to fans—was one of forgiveness and love. The Braxton family’s journey is far from perfect, but it is real, raw, and, ultimately, human.

As the Braxtons move forward, they promise to honor Traci’s wishes and keep her memory alive—not just as a “wannabe Braxton,” but as a beloved sister, mother, and artist who always deserved a seat at the table.