‘Kit’ Braselton (2-15-13)

BRASELTON - Herbert Brown “Kit” Braselton, Sr. died at his residence on Friday, February 15, 2013.

He was born in Braselton on February 16, 1920, the youngest son of Green and May Duncan Braselton.
Kit graduated from Braselton High School in 1937 having not missed a day in school for 12 years. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1942 after which he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He trained as a communications officer and served on five Naval ships, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. In 1945, he was assigned to the battleship U.S.S. Pennsylvania on which he sustained injuries when the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese plane at Okinawa, Japan.

Following the cessation of the Pacific hostilities, he returned home in May 1946 and joined his father's firm known as Braselton Brothers as manager of the hardware department. He was elected as Town Councilman and served in that capacity for 33 years and as Mayor in 1998.

Upon coming home in 1946, he received an invitation to attend a function at Brenau's Delta Zeta Sorority during which he met the love of his life, Peggy Lee Watlington of Gretna, Va. In July 1948, they were married in Peggy's hometown of Gretna. Since their wedding, they have resided in Braselton.

As he had a blood relation with two Revolutionary soldiers, Jacob Braselton and General George Washington, in 1993, he became qualified to become a member of Gainesville Lyman Hall Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He served for two years as president of the chapter and from 1997-99, as President of the state organization, Georgia Sons of the American Revolution and as a Trustee of the National group in 1999-2000. One of his most prized joys was being a member of the State Color Guard where he wore a duplicate of Gen. George Washington's uniform.

Along with his brother Herman, he was joint manager of the Braselton Improvement Company Hardware and Building Materials (member ACE Hardware group) and he was a Director of the Braselton Banking Company. He was a faithful member of Zion Baptist Church (now Northeast Church of Braselton), where he was chairman of the Deacons and a teacher of Joy in Evangelism.

He was preceded in death by siblings Harrison Franklin (Brazzie), Leta, Herman, Nell, Rosalyn B. Gillespie and Allene B. Laird.

He is survived by his wife Peggy; their daughter, Rebecca Gerald and husband Mike; and son, Herbert B. Braselton, Jr., and his wife Shannon; and grandsons, Charles Silva and Justin, Westley and Herbert B. Braselton, III (Cody) and John Gerald and Windy Brown; one sibling, 99-year old Green Braseton Jr., Conyers; and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services were held Sunday February 17, at the Northeast Church of Braselton. The Revs. Russell Harbin and Jack Chalmers officiated. Interment was in the Braselton Family Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Church of Braselton.

Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.