Eleanor "Ellie" Wood Brazee

Eleanor Wood Brazee (Ellie) of Marietta, Georgia passed away on March 21, 2026, at the age of 93ish. The daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, Christian, real estate professional, reader, joiner, giver and loyal friend will be missed by the people whose lives she touched in so many ways.

Ellie was not ready to leave because there was still work, she felt she should do. However, God must have had need of her elsewhere, because that would be the only reason for her departure.

She refused to help summarize what she felt were her greatest accomplishments. So, we are trying to give you a glimpse into who Ellie was to us. Likely she would have significant corrections if she’d taken the opportunity to weigh in when she had the chance.

Ellie was delivered to Evelyn and Roy Wood on May 16, 1932, in Havre, Montana. In her father’s words, “we were blessed early with Eleanor. The joy she gave us is indescribable. She endeared herself to us with a multitude of talents, natural gifts, instinct, faculty and ability – all with a loving personality.”

Before attending Montgomery Blair High School in Maryland, Ellie was educated in over a dozen schools across the country as her father pursued his career as a Special Agent in the FBI. Whether her outgoing nature and joining spirit were innate or learned, those skills followed her the rest of her life. She developed deep and lasting relationships across the country and globe through her family, her church, her business, her travel, her books, her philanthropy, her neighborhood, and her sports.

She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and taught English and Spanish in the public school system before marrying John in New Haven, CT. Robust detail is not known about her academic (vs. social) accomplishments, but man, she was smart.

She could navigate any city, make trendy clothing, balance budgets, find homes, entertain, cook, hold elected positions, lead book clubs, play bridge (maybe not her best strength), create greeting cards, navigate technology and passionately argue for herself and others.

Always physically active, Ellie was a cheerleader, a tennis player, Jazzerciser, and treadmill user. She loved to travel. She drove to Savannah with her daughter, completing three historical walking tours in a single day. They tackled Yorktown, Jamestown and Williamsburg the following year. She rode a camel in Egypt, navigated the fjords of Norway, walked the Taj Mahal in India, and visited the Great Wall of China. She loved the ocean: whether on a cruise ship, viewing the waves from a distance, or imagining the beach from a lawn chair in her back yard.

She supported her husband’s career and dutifully (but not excitedly) relocated several times as he progressed, always blooming where she was planted. It was during one of those relocations that she launched her real estate career in Newton, North Carolina; a profession that proved a natural fit for someone who could talk to anyone and close on anything. She delivered John a sense of belonging that she curated and relationships she crafted that enriched both their lives.

Ellie had an abundance of confidence in everyone else’s potential, while not fully acknowledging her own. She enabled the ambitions and dreams of many in her orbit. One example: her daughter, who had never run for student office, was considering running for Treasurer. Ellie asked if she thought she’d win. Her daughter said “no.” Ellie said, “then why don’t you lose running for President?” Ellie was salty that way.

Ellie was well read, articulate and not shy to speak up. She gave time, emotion and resources to causes and people who impressed her. When isolated by a pandemic, she figured out how to play bridge online, zoom to church, drop off gifts and deepen relationships with her neighbors. She gave her time to Wit and Wisdom, Circle, Knitting and Church Suppers. She delivered flowers and sent cards of encouragement to people who needed to know someone was thinking of them. In recent years, those passionate investments returned interest to her.

She leaves behind a legacy of love in action; fierce, faithful, and unapologetically persistent.

Ellie is survived by her husband John Ashley Brazee, and their daughters, Lou Ann Brazee Taylor (Mark) of Beaufort, NC, and Stacey Brazee Cost (Richard) of Santa Fe, NM. Also, Ellie’s grandson Lt. Steven Taylor (former U.S. Navy) and his wife, Elisabeth. She was immensely proud of Steven’s accomplishments and his unwavering drive.

Throughout her life she was grateful for the presence of John’s nephews Paul, Mark, Peter, John and Stephen DiMaria and their families and to Arthur Bell, who she regarded as her adopted son.

A celebration of Ellie's life will be held on April 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Roswell Presbyterian Church, 755 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell, GA 30075. Reception to follow. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Ellie's memory may make a gift to the P.E.O. Foundation. Please note your gift is in honor of Eleanor "Ellie" Brazee. Contributions can be made at peointernational.org/make-a-gift/ or mailed to the P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312.