Barbara Brim

She will be remembered as a groundbreaker, often being the first woman to achieve something within her circle. She was the matriarch of our family. She is survived by her brother, Kenneth Boyd (Georgeanne) and her children: Patti Walker, Nancy Brim (Peter Carnell), David Brim (Cathy), and Barrie “Boo” O’Brien (Denny Lamoureux). She also has eight grandchildren: Alexandra O’Brien, Boyd Brim, Grayson O’Brien, Anna Brim, Landon O’Brien, Jason Walker, Ellie Walker, and Ryan Lamoureux, and one great-grandchild, Coltan Caban.

Barbara embodied the true spirit of a matriarch—loving, protective, determined, with a strength that never wavered. Her warmth and generosity extended to everyone who entered her life. She always prioritized making others feel seen and valued, wanting each person to know their worth in her eyes. An animal lover, an athlete, an avid gardener, a business owner and entrepreneur, a lover of books, parties, bridge, and Mah Jongg, Barbara never met a stranger. She brought pleasant, positive banter to all of her interactions.

Barbara was born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Robert Walter (“Bob”) Boyd and Patricia Lytle (“Patti”) Boyd. They lived in Carrcroft, Missouri, for a time, and then lived on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, where she took the Incline Railway down to school. They settled at the foot of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, in an historic white-columned home built by a railroad tycoon. They called it Idle Acres, and it was 100 acres where they raised Hereford cattle and sheep. Her father was in textiles and her mother was the secretary for Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church. Barbara was a member of the 4-H Club and the Girl Scouts, and told us she spent as much of her time as possible outdoors, roaming the farm. Her love of nature was passed on to all of her children.

She finished high school in Delaware, where her grandparents lived, and was in the first class of women admitted to Emory University. She met Donald “Barry” Brim, who attended Georgia Tech, and they fell in love and married in September 1960. Four children soon followed.

They lived up north for a few years and then returned to Atlanta in 1969, living in Sandy Springs. Barbara took over The Craft Patch in the North Springs Shopping Center, which was a craft store that pre-dated Michael’s. After it sold, she worked at Harts and Flowers in the same shopping center. She went to work at Markatron and then started Trademark Marketing International, where she retired in 2011. She was also the fourth owner of Brown Manufacturing Company, the 100-year-old wall-mount bottle opener company, which she later sold to her son. Throughout this time, she played ALTA tennis.

In her retirement years, she has made many new friends at the townhome community where she moved. She was part of a book club, she taught Mah Jongg, she played bridge with friends from Cumming, and she was in charge of the landscape for the townhome community for several years. She would ride around the complex on the day the landscape company came to do their work and pass out homemade cookies and Powerade, checking on the work being done and getting to know the workers. She could tell you who lived where, what plants were surrounding their townhome, and where all the sprinklers were located.

Barbara was loving, determined, and strong. She lived a full life, and we are grateful to have known her. In lieu of flowers, please give to the animal shelter of your choice.

A celebration of life for Barbara will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 1:00 pm at H. M. Patterson and Sons - Arlington Chapel. Visitation will be an hour before and two hours after.