Gary Palmer Braddy, of Mount Vernon, Georgia, age 85, died on September 10, 2024, at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, following a brief illness.

Gary was the son of Van Braddy, a farmer, and Lucile Palmer Braddy, a homemaker. He was the older brother of Winona “Noni” Braddy Taylor. Gary was born in Laurens County, Georgia, at Claxton Hospital and raised on his family’s farm in Montgomery County, Georgia. He attended Montgomery County High School and graduated in 1957. He then attended Brewton Parker College before transferring to South Georgia College.

When he was a very young boy, Gary’s father was on the way to work in turpentine when he told Gary to hop out of his truck at the railroad tracks going into Mount Vernon. He told Gary to walk to town to find a job. Gary did just that. He started bussing tables in a café, which led to a number of other odd jobs: flipping hamburgers, folding newspapers, delivering groceries, and operating the movie theater.

At the age of 25, Gary entered the local election to be the Montgomery County Probate Judge, which was titled “ordinary” at the time. He earned the beloved nickname, “Judge,” as he was reelected eight times, serving the people of Montgomery County for a total of 36 years. One day, while working at the courthouse, Barbara Fay Phillips of Soperton, Georgia, walked into Gary’s office. She immediately caught his eye. The next time he saw her at the courthouse he asked her on a date. Several months later, they were married at Boiling Springs Baptist Church on September 27, 1969. Gary and Barbara lived on Gary’s family’s farm outside of Mount Vernon, Georgia, where they raised four sons: Byron, Brian, Brandon, and Brent.

While living out his passion of serving his community and living on the farm, Gary farmed for 51 years with his two double first cousins, the late Cecil “Kelly” Braddy and the late John Quincey “Pete” Braddy. While they were actually cousins, the three men were more like brothers. Their fathers farmed together, and their mothers kept their homes. The two families even lived in the same wooden house on the farm while the three men were young. Eventually, Gary, Kelly, and Pete started Braddy Farms, Inc. together. The men started with a few acres of tobacco, and the farm grew exponentially over the years, especially as they began growing Vidalia Onions.

Once Gary retired from the probate court in 2000, he then began serving as Mount Vernon’s municipal court judge, which he faithfully did for 24 years. He also served on a number of boards in the community, including the East Georgia Healthcare Board, Brewton Parker College’s Board of Trustees, and Meadows Regional Healthcare Board.

Gary was a believer and follower of our Lord Jesus Christ and a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, where he served as a deacon. He raised his family in that church and had many dear friends in it as well. He especially loved his Sunday School class and each of the members in it. Outside of the church, Gary had many friends around the state that he met while serving as probate judge and even friends in other states that he met while growing Vidalia Onions.

Everyone who knew Gary knew that he would go above and beyond when he saw someone needed anything. From bringing food to a grieving family to attending birthday parties to making calls on his flip phone to check on people, Gary’s family and friends knew how much he cared about each of them. The impact he has made is a lasting one.

Gary Braddy is preceded in death by his parents, Van Braddy and Lucile Palmer Braddy of Mount Vernon Georgia; Winona “Noni” Braddy Taylor  (Melvin) of Ailey.

Gary’s family includes his wife of nearly 55 years, Barbara Phillips Braddy, and their sons, Brian Braddy of Mount Vernon, Brandon Braddy (Donna Jean) of Mount Vernon, and Brent Braddy (Alecia) of Soperton; Gary’s son, Byron Braddy (Kathy) of Mount Vernon; six grandchildren, LeeAnn Braddy Fernandez (Jared) of Pooler, Briley Braddy of Mount Vernon, Kaylee Braddy of Augusta, Mallie Braddy of Mount Vernon, Georgia Braddy of Soperton, and Rocco Braddy of Soperton; two great-grandchildren, Lucas and Tanner Fernandez of Pooler; 2 nieces, 1 great-niece, 4 great-nephews.

The family will receive friends at the Saliba Chapel on the campus of Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon on Thursday, September 12th, from 5:00 until 8:00.

The funeral service will be Friday morning, September 13th, at 11:00 at the Saliba Chapel on the campus of Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon with Dr. Steve Echols and Reverend Karl Hay officiating.  Burial will follow at Adams Cemetery in Montgomery County.

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly encourages memorial contributions to Brewton-Parker College, PO Box 197, Mt. Vernon, GA 30445, or the First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, PO Box 482, Mt. Vernon, GA 30445.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

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