Emily Doris Brownlee

Doris was born on April 30, 1939 in Terrell County, Georgia to the late T. G. Simmons, Sr. and Mary Claude Loper Simmons and graduated from Terrell County High School in 1957. In June 1957, she married Grady Brownlee, of Blakely, Georgia and they were married until his death in 1992 from kidney cancer. Doris started her retail career at Friedlander’s Department Store, in Albany, Georgia and went on to work for Dillard’s at The Mall of Georgia and at Lord and Taylor, in Atlanta, from which she retired. While working, she sold all manner of designer dresses and had an impeccable sense of style. She later transitioned into selling Lancôme Cosmetics, becoming the counter manager and winning several awards for sales. Her gift, was knowing how to encourage people and make everyone and everything beautiful.

In addition to her parents, her brothers, Joe Simmons, Edwin “Bill” Simmons, Frank Simmons, John Simmons, James H. Simmons and T. G. Simmons, Jr. and her sisters, Willie Lou “Yank” Grant Wantland, Mary Melton, Myrtle Turner, Margie Martin and Claudia Dervan, preceded her in death.

Her daughter, Emily Carol Brownlee of Monroe; and brother, Harry H. Simmons, Sr. of Monroe; and many nieces and nephews, survives her.

She loved her family, her friends, her country and the Lord, as well as, her pets, Snoopy, Boogie, Serena the Cat, Dexter, Diego, Gigi and Cooper.

May she rest in His peaceful presence forever.

Our hearts are broken but we rest on the assurance of the words of an old street preacher in Atlanta…”Honey the Lord can’t use you if you ain’t broke.”

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death…many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot sweep it away…Song of Solomon 8: 6-7

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Athens Humane Society.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.