Henry Edward Braselton

BRASELTON - Henry Edward Braselton, 82, died on Monday, December 21, 2009, at his home in Braselton, Georgia.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Janice Lee Martin Braselton, formerly of Gainesville, Georgia; three daughters, Susan Collier Braselton Fant, Washington, DC, Anne Elisabeth Braselton Miller, Suwanee, and Stephanie Rowland Braselton Williams, Braselton; and five beloved grandchildren, Lydia Braselton Miller, Mark Coleman Miller, Jr., Henry Collier Fant, Caroline Braselton Williams and Collier Elisabeth Williams.

Mr. Braselton was the grandson of William Harrison Braselton and Susan Frances Braselton who settled in Braselton in 1876. His father, John Oliver Braselton, Sr., started a family business in 1887 at the age of eight. Later joined by his two brothers, the "3B's" built a general country store that supplied people "from the cradle to the grave."
Mr. Braselton was born on August 1, 1927, to John Oliver Braselton Sr. of Braselton and Ottis Blanche McDonald of Apple Valley. He had one brother, John Oliver Braselton, Jr. who pre-deceased him.

Mr. Braselton attended Emory University at Oxford, Emory University and graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Gridiron Society. He served his country in the United States Navy and the Georgia Home Guard. Following college, he joined the family business, Braselton Brothers, Inc. and served as a director of Braselton Banking Company.

Mr. Braselton served his community as Mayor of Braselton for 14 years and as a town council member for more than 40 years. He was honored as one of the first recipients of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Awards. He served as a member of the Board of Supervisors of the Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District for more than 42 years. He also served on the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Commission, as a director of the Northeast Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross, on the Advisory Board of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center and was a charter member and past-president of the West Jackson Lions Club. He was a member, deacon and Sunday school superintendent at Zion Baptist Church in Braselton.

Mr. Braselton's legacy will be celebrated at a graveside service at the Braselton Memorial Family Cemetery in Braselton on Wednesday at 2 p.m., and at a memorial service at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, on Sunday at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family would welcome contributions in his memory to Eagle Ranch, Zion Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, or Randolph College.

Little Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.