Fred Bracewell

Fred Bracewell, Martinez, Georgia, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather instantly made heaven a livelier place on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

Fred was predeceased by his parents, Olivia and Roy Bracewell, Sr. of Dublin, GA, and his older siblings Roy Bracewell, Jr, and Dorothy Smith.

Fred is survived by his wife, Shirley, who he referred to as his “angel baby”, and his two daughters Vonda Shoemaker (Craig) and Beth Carney (Jeff).  He also is survived by his cherished grandchildren Max Shoemaker (Paige), Olivia Bell (Drew), Rebecca Callaway (Blake), Jack Shoemaker all of Marietta, Jeffrey Carney of North Augusta, SC, and Emory Carney of Brookhaven, GA as well as his four great grandchildren Nora and Andrew Bell, Tripp Callaway, and Myers Shoemaker.

Fred grew up on the family farm in Dublin, GA and did everything from being the water boy to raising livestock, tending to the crops, and hunting for quail all while getting into more than his fair share of mischief.  He graduated from Lowery High School where he played basketball. He later attended Southern Adventist University and the University of Georgia.

After a stint in the Air Force, Fred moved back to Dublin, GA where he became a salesman at Belk Department store.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Shirley, as she came in to shop during her lunch hour at Georgia Power.  After their first meeting, he drove out to her family’s house that very night.  The rest is history.

Fred knew how to work hard and how to hustle.  While working fulltime, he began putting his persuasive skills to use by selling items door to door including Fuller Brush, vacuum cleaners, and eventually buying and selling real estate. After retiring from a Civil Service Instructor position at Fort Gordon, he and Shirley bought and sold both small and large residential real estate properties for many years.   They eventually sold those residential businesses and then ventured into commercial real estate, which he continued with Shirley to his last days.

Fred was a driven and successful man who was a master at engaging other people.  He took great pride in starting conversations with complete strangers to see how much he could find out about them.  Some of his daughters’ fondest memories of him include the shopping trips to Lenox Mall where Shirley and the girls would spend hours going store to store while Fred would find a prime sitting spot out in the mall where he could meet people. His approach was simple and effective.  He used his big frame and even bigger personality to catch someone’s attention as he would proceed to ask them who they were and what they did for a living.  Once he found out about his new acquaintance, he wasn’t shy about sharing his life story and experiences.  It was amazing how many connections he made that way.

He dearly loved his two daughters and most especially his precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had many years of visiting, vacations, fishing, and eating his favorite foods with his family. He always loved the mountains and made fond memories in Highlands, NC. He also loved to visit his homeplace, the family farm, and their special home in Cadwell, GA.  His own beloved “Angel Baby”, Shirley, was the light of his life and was his devoted caretaker who was right by his side through many health trials over the years.  A special thank you goes out to the caring doctors, nurses, and therapists that helped extend his life so that his family could continue to be blessed with his presence.  A very special thank you is extended to Mrs. Sharon Brown for being a special daily caretaker to Fred and helper to Shirley.

Fred will be buried in Cadwell, GA at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery which is where he and Shirley got married.  There will be a graveside service on Tuesday May 30, 2023 at 2:00 p.m; following a visitation at the church from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 1697 GA-126, Cadwell, GA 31009.

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