Willetta Schanz Brazeal

Mrs. Brazeal was born August 26, 1924, in Fairfield, Alabama, the only child to William K. and Martha (Berents) Schanz.

She attended school in Bessemer, and it should be noted that she had perfect attendance for all 12 years of school. She went to Judson College and Birmingham Southern during her college years. She found homemaking to be her full-time job, and found fulfillment in her church activities.

She married her high school sweetheart Henry H. Brazeal, Jr. on June 19, 1943, and they were married 75 years. They had four children. They lived in Bogota, Colombia, Bessemer, Birmingham, and Westfield, New Jersey. After retiring, they lived in Crossville, Tennessee, before moving back to Birmingham.

Mrs. Brazeal developed a passion for music which began at age 5 with piano lessons. She became quite accomplished during her school years, resulting in giving her senior recital a year early at age 17. Throughout her life she would become involved in the music ministry of her local church wherever she lived, whether by singing, playing the piano, or playing the organ. When she and her late husband moved into a local retirement community, they volunteered to lead the weekly chapel services by playing the organ and leading the singing. And even during the most recent year, she loved listening to Christian vocal or instrumental music. She was a loving and faithful servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her family.

Mrs. Brazeal will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Alabama National Cemetery.

She is survived by her four children: Carolyn Anita Brazeal Gannett, Martha Frances Brazeal Holdsambeck, Nancy Elizabeth Brazeal McGill, and William Hugh Brazeal; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

There will be a Visitation on September 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Shades Mountain Community Church followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 10:30 AM.