MRS. ETHEL “TOOTSIE” GAY BROWN, age 84, of Eastman, GA, died Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Dodge County Hospital.
MRS. ETHEL “TOOTSIE” GAY BROWN, age 84, of Eastman, GA, died Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Dodge County Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM, Friday May 29, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Ron Jones, Rev. Arnold Rye, and Rev. Chad Hendley officiating, with interment in Bowers Cemetery in Empire.
Ethel was born in Eastman, GA on September 27, 1941, and was a member of Hillside Baptist Church. As a skilled factory worker, Mrs. Brown worked for numerous employers including Reeves Brothers Cotton Mill, C & J Manufacturing, Goody’s, Sara Lee, Royden Wear, and retired from Standard Candy Company, after many years of service. She was a dedicated wife and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed taking care of and spending time with her family. Ethel enjoyed painting, coloring, solving jigsaw puzzles, completing word searches, and spending time with her beloved husband, Jimmy Lee Brown. She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spent countless hours with them. She was affectionately known as “Tootsie” to everyone. Ethel was preceded in death by her Husband of 63 years, Jimmy Lee “Pop” Brown, Father and Mother, Newbern Gay, Sr. and Minnie Lee Gay, Stepson, Jimmy Ray Brown, and Siblings, Pauline Brown, Margaret Donald, Newbern Gay, Jr., William Gay, Earl Gay, and Verlin Gay.
She is survived by her Daughter – Gail Miller (Lisa) of Panama City, FL; Granddaughter – Brittany White (Mark) of Gresston; Grandson – Ben Sheffield (Taylor) of Eastman; Step-Grandson - John Lowery of Dublin; Great-Grandchildren – Hunter White, Corbin White, Grayson Sheffield, Sophia Sheffield, and Kennsley Sheffield; Brothers-in-law – Gene Edward Brown (Betty), William Derrell Brown (Sue) and Walter Donald; Sisters-in-law - Bertie Faye Brown, Dorothy “Dot” Gay, Wanda Gay, and Margie Gay; Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00AM-11:00AM Friday, May 29. Anyone wishing to contact the family can call Gail Miller, 850-326-8762, or Brittany White, 478-231-4971. In addition to flowers contributions can be made to Hillside Baptist Church, 1100 Chester Hwy., Eastman, GA 31023.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.