Dorothy Perry Brawley

DOROTHY PERRY BRAWLEY, "Grandma Dot", family communicator, documentarian, knitter, Tennessee Vols fan, animal lover, news gatherer, collector of beautiful things, lemon pound cake baker, and the heart of our family died peacefully at her home in Newport, TN on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Dot was our north star. She was 89. Dot was born in Savannah, Georgia on October 6, 1927 to the late Sumner Whitfield Perry and Ruth Newton Perry. She grew up with her brother, Sumner Whitfield "Whit" Perry, Jr and her best friend and cousin, Frank L. Perry, Jr in Savannah and Augusta, graduating from Tubman High School, Augusta, GA in 1945. She joined the Cadet Nurse Corps, attended University of Georgia in Athens and the University Hospital Barrett School of Nursing in Augusta, graduating with an RN in 1948. In the late 1970s, Dot returned to school at Georgia State University and received both her BS in Nursing and a BA in Spanish. While in nursing school, Dot met the "love of her life", William "Bill" Gaston Brawley who was completing his MD in Pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia. They married in 1948 in Greenwood, South Carolina. Bill joined the Army soon after and they were based at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA, 1951-53. They moved from there to Decatur, GA and in 1960 they moved to Avondale Estates, GA. Dot and Bill set up a Pediatrics Medical Practice in Decatur, and Bill saw patients with Dot acting in both her capacity as a nurse and office manager. The medical practice grew to be one of the largest in the South Dekalb area. They ran the practice together until Bill's death in 1974. After his death, Dot worked in nursing at Dekalb Medical Center. Dot moved to her final home in Newport, TN in 1992 to help her daughter Laura Strader and son Bolling Brawley who were joining Newport Pediatrics. Dot and Bill had five children between 1949 and 1963: Dorothy Elizabeth Brawley, Laura Brawley Strader, William Gaston Brawley, Jr, Bolling Whitfield Brawley, and Donald Perry Brawley. They raised five very different, smart, independent and accomplished children with good values and kindness toward others. Dot stayed busy. She was an active member of the Girl Scouts of the United States, the American Orchid Society, the DAR, The National Society Colonial Dames- XVII century, GA Salzberger Society, Daughters of American Colonists, First Families of GA, National Society US Daughters of 1812, TN Cameo Society, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Gold Star Wives, and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Newport, TN. Many around Newport benefited from her love of baking, plants and knitting. She shared her famous lemon pound cakes, the plants she so carefully rooted, and the beautiful and colorful Laplander afghans she masterfully created even as her fingers became more and more arthritic-almost 500 in total. Each afghan was an original-- personally designed and labelled for the person receiving it. As with a limited-edition piece of fabric art, each included a note documenting the date, afghan number, and a personal message to the recipient. Using them made you feel like you were being wrapped in a warm hug sent directly from "Grandma Dot". Dot loved genealogy and traveled the country following leads about her ancestors. Her detective work resulted in a book- a genealogical exploration. Along with Frank L. Perry, Jr. she co-authored The Bolling Gay Gaston Brawley Paper Trail, published in 1995. She made sure the family knew it's legacy and captured that in over 125 family scrapbooks. Dot was our "great grand regulator"- she kept the extended family together and in touch and organized. Everyone was always welcome at her home and the home she shared with her daughter Laura Strader and grandson Burr Strader in Newport. She planned the family reunions, hosted special events including weddings, birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, would hand write notes and make a call to ensure everyone stayed in touch. She was an enigma appreciating the formal aspects of a well-set table with beautiful china and silver and expectations of proper etiquette, while also enjoying a good messy s'more at a campfire at Lake Burton. Special people in her life included family---the spouses, nieces and nephews, and friends. Among these were Claire Courtney Perry (her "favorite sister"); Nancy Graham Brawley, Ellen Adamczk Brawley, Jane Palmer Brawley; Sumner Perry, Lawrence and Annika Perry, Vicki Perry and Teresa Martin, David and Martha Perry; Eloise Murray, Gay and Don Newton, Glenn and Ann Murray, Margaret Murray; Doug and Lori Brawley, Bill and Wendy Brawley, Becky Brawley Sawyer; and Tom Stiyer (Dot's "fourth son"). Her beloved grandchildren and great grand-children were the light in her later years: Julie, Tony, Miguel, Finn, and Poppy Vila; Burr Strader and Jessica Moll; Billy Strader; Samantha Strader, Christine and Claire Purcell; Savannah, Blair, and Caroline Brawley; Palmer and Perry Brawley; and Charles Brawley. Throughout her life her pets were a great comfort and joy to her. Her dogs Goldie, Beau, Barkley, and cats Gus, Cat, Precious, Xena, and Belle were her love therapy. The family wishes to extend their sincere and deep gratitude to Lisa and Daryn Adair, Danielle Ramos, and especially to Laura and Burr Strader for the loving and compassionate care they provided to "Grandma Dot" over the years. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Newport, TN on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Visitation for friends and family will be 4-6pm with a memorial service to follow at 6pm. A Reception will follow the memorial service. Burial will be at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, GA on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First United Methodist Church, Newport, TN 37821 or, Dr. Carol Hood Memorial Animal Shelter Newport, TN 37821

Dorothy Perry Brawley

October 6, 1927 - May 6, 2017