Obituary of Jerry Julian Brazeal

Obituary Notice Funeral services for Jerry Julian Brazeal Sr. age 75 of Wedowee will be held Wednesday July 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM from the First United Methodist Church of Wedowee with Rev. Russell Hestley and Rev. Harold Bonner officiating. Burial will follow in the Wedowee City Cemetery. Mr. Brazeal passed away Sunday July 21, 2013 at Traylor Nursing Center. Mr. Brazeal is survived by his wife Sylvia Hester Brazeal of Wedowee; son Jerry Julian Brazeal Jr. of Auburn, daughter Jenny ( husband Wesley) Schuessler of LaGrange, Ga., son Roy Thomas (wife Michele) Brazeal of Wedowee and daughter Robin ( husband Larry) Strain of Wedowee: Nine grandchildren Nicholas (wife Ashton) Hamner, Bradley Thomas ( wife Ashley) Brazeal, Trae Strain, Jessica Hamner, Courtney Strain, Dylan Brazeal, Leah Strain, Hunter Brazeal, John Schuessler; one great-grandchild Sylvia Kate Brazeal. Mr. Brazeal was preceded in death by his parents Thomas J. and Omie Messer Brazeal, a sister Ramona Meena and a son-in-law Jodie Hamner. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Hamner, Bradley Thomas Brazeal, Trae Strain, Dylan Brazeal, Hunter Brazeal and John Schuessler. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ben Camp, Ragan Clark, Danny Wilson, Forrest Phibbs, Tony Heard, Danny Williamson, Joey Burns, Dick Isreal, Harold Harmon, Benny Camp, Tommy Camp, Phil Holliday, Chance Hill, Gene Grant, Keith Langley, Pat Salatto, Jim Gunnells, Ron Watters, Albert Lee Holloway and Merl Brown. Mr. Brazeal graduated from Randolph County High School, Auburn University and received an advanced degree from Jacksonville State University. He was a lifelong resident of Randolph County and a devoted long time member of the First Methodist Church of Wedowee. He spent many happy years as a coach and teacher at Randolph County High School. Immediately preceding his retirement, he was Dean of Administrative Services at Southern Union State Community College. Never one to be idle, he always had a second part-time job as a farmer. Upon retirement, he stayed busy as a small business Laundromat owner, farmer and avid flower and vegetable gardener. However for the last twenty- five years, Mr. Brazeal's life revolved around the roles of loving husband to his wife and high school sweetheart, Sylvia, daddy to his children and "Gramps" to his grandchildren. His active presence in the lives of his grandchildren extended to their friends, classmates and teammates and he was lovingly known as "Gramps" by many. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on through the many young people who were loved by him and blessed to call him "Gramps". The family will accept flowers or donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Wedowee. The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home -Wedowee from 5 till 8 PM on Tuesday July 23, 2013. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of the arrangements. Leave online condolences at www.benefieldfhwedowee.com