Madge Brownlee

BROWNLEE, Madge P., 82, of Gainesville, FL, passed away surrounded by her family, after a lengthy illness, Saturday, August 14, 2010 at her daughter's home in Xenia, Ohio. She was born in Williston and moved to Gainesville in 1949. Madge was a graduate of Williston High School and attended Florida State College for Women and University of Florida. She retired in 1987, after 30 years, as executive secretary to six head University of Florida football coaches. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, for over 50 years, (where she was a soloist in the Chancel Choir), the Daylily Circle Gainesville Garden Club, Gainesville Woman's Club, Junior League, Alachua General Hospital Auxiliary, the Skipper's Club, and honorary member of several UF Athletic Dept. organizations. Madge loved vegetable and flower gardening. She loved her family dearly and spent time singing with her children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband Edgar L. Johnson; second husband of 30 years, J. Milton Brownlee; sister Teresa Riddle; and two step grandchildren; and step great-grandson. Madge is survived by her daughters Janet Madge (David) Allen, of Xenia, OH and Carol Johnson (Dave) Shoup, of Carbondale, IL and Hawthorne, FL; step daughter Catherine (Mike) Smeltzer, of Roanoke, VA; step son John (Donna) Brownlee, of Orlando,FL; grandchildren Sarah Jane Allen, of Xenia, Ohio, Rebecca (Nick) Grisco, of Jenson, MI, Benjamin (Sarah) Allen,of Fairborn, Ohio, Rachel Allen,of Miamisburg, Ohio, Ryan Butler, of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Julianne Shoup, of Gainesville, FL; great-granddaughter Ruby Grisco; three step grandchildren; six step great-grandchildren; sister Lucile Bennett, of Fernandina Beach, FL; and long time friend Paul Tarrant, of Gainesville, FL. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at First United Methodist Church, 419 N.E. First St., Gainesville, FL, 32601. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or the Parkinson Research Foundation, www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org / .