Community Mourns Loss of Longtime Judge
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Montgomery County community members are currently mourning the loss of longtime Probate and Mun icipal Court Judge Gary P. Braddy, who passed away at age 85 on Tuesday, September 10, at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin after a brief illness.
Braddy became the Montgomery County Probate Judge when he was 25 years old, and when the posi tion was known as the County “Ordinary.” He served eight terms in the Probate Court – serving the county
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for a total of 36 years, before retiring in 2000, and supporting his former clerk, current Montgomery County Probate Judge Rubie Nell Sanders in her efforts to succeed him.
After retiring from the Probate Court, Braddy began serving as the Mount Vernon Municipal Judge in 2000, which he did up until his unexpected death.
The judicial system was a large part of Braddy’s life and even led him to his wife Barbara, whom he met and asked on their first date at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
In an effort to honor the late judge, elected officials, community members, and Braddy’s family gathered at the Montgomery County Courthouse Square on Thursday afternoon, September 12, to pay their respects as a hearse took the judge on one last ride through the town.
Outside of his time in the courthouse, Braddy also farmed for 51 years with his double first cousins, the late Kelly and Pete Braddy. The trio began with a few acres of tobacco, but grew the farm exponentially, even cultivating the precious Vidalia Onions sold in local stores.
Braddy and his wife raised their four sons – Byron, Brian, Brandon, and Brent – within the county, and the men continue to live here today with their own families.
Even though busy with all of these endeavors, Braddy continued to give his time to the community, serving on the East Georgia Healthcare Board, Brewton- Parker College Board of Trustees, and Meadows Regional Healthcare Board during his free time.
Several community leaders spoke on the loss.
Brewton-Parker College President Steve Echols emphasized his appreciation for Braddy’s friendship, saying, “I had the wonderful privilege of working with Mr. Braddy in his role as a BPC trustee for the last nine years. In my time at BPC, I have had no greater friend. Mr. Braddy cared deeply for his church, the college, and his community and unselfishly helped countless people in countless ways. We shall all deeply miss his compassion for others and his outstanding leadership in our community.”
“Judge Braddy was a man of integrity that served the citizens of Mount Vernon with justice and fairness as our Municipal Court Judge. He always had a good sense of humor and helped make difficulties less stressful,” Mount Vernon Mayor Joey Fountain reminisced.
Montgomery County Commission Chairman Leland Adams spoke on behalf of the County, commenting, “Mr. Braddy served Montgomery County for 36 years as Probate Judge, and left a lasting influence on those who knew him. He will be missed by all.”
Montgomery County Probate Judge Rubie Nell Sanders stressed her gratitude for Braddy’s help throughout her career path. “I was blessed with the opportunity to work with Gary Braddy for several years prior to becoming Probate Judge, and I am grateful for the knowledge he gave me throughout the years. Gary was very devoted to the community and will be deeply missed,” she emphasized. “Personally, I will miss Gary’s guidance and friendship, which I have treasured throughout the years.”
Braddy was honored with a funeral service at Brewton-Parker College’s Saliba Chapel on Friday, September 13, before being laid to rest at Adams Cemetery in Montgomery County.
Photo By Makaylee Randolph
HONORING HIS LEGACY – Montgomery County Courthouse elected officials and employees pay their respects to the late Gary Braddy as he passes the courthouse on a ceremonial drive.A COMMUNITY MOURNS – The Montgomery County Courthouse donned a black ribbon on its columns last week as the community mourned the loss of longtime Judge Gary Braddy.Photo By Makaylee Randolph
