Donny Brannen

Maybelle Wilson Brannen, best known to most as Donny Brannen passed into Heaven Tuesday Morning, September 19, 2023, 88 years young. Donny was the daughter of Cliff and Francesca Wilson of Jacksonville Florida.

She was a devoted mother, schoolteacher, and lover of animals. Folks that knew her said she had the warmest of smiles. Donny attended the University Florida where she met her husband, Clyo D. Brannen Sr. They were married in 1955 and moved to Lake Butler, Florida where they both taught school. The family moved to Athens, GA in 1961 and Donny taught school first at Chase Street school in Athens, then in Oconee County where she taught many generations of first graders to read. After retiring from Oconee County Elementary, Donny stayed busy working at the Family Life Enrichment Center in Oconee County and as a greeter at Athens Regional Hospital. She volunteered many hours of her time at the Colbert Elementary school and a local preschool academy sharing her years of educational experience.

One of her biggest loves was homeless and injured animals, and she spent much of her energy in retirement as a foster mother for many rescued animals. She is survived by her daughter Virginia (Ginny) Brady and son Clyo Jr. (Clyde), along with three grandchildren Ashley, Candace, Tanner, and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 am, Saturday September 30, 2023, at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made in Donny’s name to the Clarke County Humane Society.

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