Mrs. Gentle Lee Brannon

Mrs. Gentle Lee Pettett Brannon, age 79 of the New Town Community, Calhoun, died Saturday, August 30, 2014 in a local health care center following several weeks of declining health. Gentle Lee was born in Gordon County, GA on July 8, 1935, daughter of the late David Pettett and Bessie Mae Edmondson Pettett. She was a member of the 1953 graduating class of Red Bud School. In 1954 she married her childhood sweetheart, Max Brannon. Gentle Lee and Max founded Max Brannon Funeral Home in 1967. She was an active member of New Town Baptist Church. Gentle Lee worked for several years with Georgia Textile Corporation, operated a successful florist, and was an instrumental part in her husband’s business and political career. She traveled with Max extensively; they attended many gospel singings including more than twenty years at the National Quartet Convention. Gentle Lee loved helping Max with motor coach tours that they arranged for senior adults and the many tours that they took in the Great Smoky Mountains and Renfro Valley. In her later years, she and Max enjoyed being actively involved with the Oostanaula Community Club. Survivors include her husband, Max Brannon to whom she was married for 60 years; three sons, Eddie Brannon and his wife Lynn, Brent Brannon, and Brian Brannon all of Calhoun; five grandchildren, Heather Brannon Hamilton and her husband William, Matt Brannon, and Anna, Jenna, and McKenna Brannon, all of Calhoun; three great-grandchildren, Brooks and Libby Brannon and Carson Hamilton; a brother and sister-in-law, J.D. and Ann Pettett of Calhoun; two sisters-in-law, Ella Ivester of Chattanooga and Marcella Cochran of Calhoun; and a very dear friend and co-worker, Jo Dean Bryant of Calhoun. Several nieces and nephews and other relatives also survive Funeral services for Mrs. Gentle Lee Brannon will be conducted Tuesday, September 2nd at 7:00 PM from New Town Baptist Church, with Rev. Walter Hare officiating. Burial will follow in Haven of Rest Memorial Park. Pallbearers serving include James Carver, Thomas Owens, Bud Owens, Coleman Balliew, Jeff “Whitey” Davis, Tony Nicholson, Ray Tucker, Jason Hawkins, Terry Goble and Russell Bryant. Music will be arranged by Charles Bradford, Coleman Balliew, Billy Weaver, Janice Ridley and Pat Bradford. The Brannon family will receive friends Tuesday at New Town Baptist Church from 3:00 PM until the funeral hour of 7:00 PM. In honoring Mrs. Brannon’s request, flowers are to be omitted and contributions may be made in her memory to the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association or Gideon’s International. Services are under the care and direction of Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home.

Mrs. Gentle Lee Brannon

July 8, 1935 - August 30, 2014