Michael W. Galbreath

On Monday December 30, 2024, Michael Galbreath, age 69, passed quietly at home from an exhaustive fight against mesothelioma. He was greeted by the Lord with “well done, good and faithful servant.” He was born to George Galbreath and Janet Arnold on January 23, 1955 in Millington, TN. Michael lived in the Memphis area most of his life.

Michael graduated from Raleigh Egypt High School (Go Pharaohs!) in 1973. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree at Memphis State University (Go Tigers!) in Biology before becoming a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Michael worked in that profession for 40 plus years before retiring from Sutherland Cardiology Clinic in 2022.

In March 1984, Michael married Deborah and, 7 hard years later, in 1991 welcomed their only child, Shelby. He fully embraced being a girl dad by coaching sports and performing as a dancing dad.

As a child, Michael joined Raleigh Baptist Church where he made lifelong friends and family. He told many stories about choir and youth trips that shaped who he was. Once he was an adult, Michael became heavily involved in giving back to the church that raised him through teaching and helping with VBS, acting as director for RA’s for several years, serving as a deacon for many years, teaching 12th grade Sunday School, working with children in AWANA, and coaching whichever sport his daughter wanted to play.

In retirement, Michael enjoyed working on the reunion committee for Raleigh Egypt for the 50th reunion in October 2023 and continuing his contributions to Bartlett Hills Baptist Church.

Preceded in death by his mother and father, Michael leaves his wife of 40 years, Deborah, daughter, Shelby Favaloro (Tony), and two grandchildren, Roman and Isabella. He also leaves two sisters, Susan Mikesell (Loren) in Texas and Stacy Green in Memphis. Michael will also be missed by his nieces, Erika Congdon and Morgan Mikesell, nephew, Zachary Mikesell, and several great nieces and nephews.

Michael’s life will be celebrated Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Bartlett Hills Baptist Church (4641 Ellendale Rd). Visitation will be at 10 am and services at 12 pm. He will be laid to rest following services at Memphis Memory Garden (6444 Raleigh Lagrange Rd).

Donations may be made to Bartlett Hills Baptist Church or Mesothelioma Cancer research.