Glenna Frisby Brashear's Obituary
Glenna Frisby Brashear passed away peacefully on October 8th, 2023, surrounded by love. She was born on January 29, 1927, to Garland and Myrtle Frisby in Cumberland, KY. Glenna had many accomplishments, but perhaps her proudest was her 75-year marriage to the love of her life, Billy, and the family they raised together.
Glenna received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree from Indiana University, both in physical education. She married Billy in 1948 and taught high school physical education until the birth of her first child, Bruce. Glenna remained a strong advocate for education throughout her life. She was a co-founder of Oak Hall School and a member, and then chair, of the Santa Fe College Board of Trustees.
Raised by educators in a small coal mining town, the importance of civic engagement was instilled in Glenna from an early age. After moving to Gainesvile, FL in 1954, Glenna worked tirelessly as a volunteer and officer for many community organizations. She served as president of the Gainesville Friends of the Library, the Gainesville Junior League, the Alachua County Medical Auxiliary, Altrusa Club of Gainesville, and the Junior Woman’s Club, and was on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Gainesville, the Voluntary Action Center, and the United Way of Gainesville. Similarly, Glenna was active in politics, serving as Vice-Chairman of the Alachua County Republican Executive Committee, and, among other roles, delegate to national Republican conventions in 1992 and 1996. Glenna was a Girl Scout for most of her life, serving as a participant in her youth, as a troop leader, and as a member of the area council for the Gateway Girl Scouts. In addition to community work, Glenna was a businessperson who managed rental property and founded and operated two businesses—The Party Line and Pine Tree Tours.
Glenna enjoyed traveling, sailing, spending time with family and friends at Long Pond, and preparing for the next family gathering. She loved to entertain, and her sense of fun and attention to detail made every gathering a celebration. Glenna was a great teacher to her children, allowing them to read anything of interest, as long as they were reading. She organized family vacations to historical sites and explained the importance of each destination. She gave her children the gifts of education, knowing right from wrong, the importance of hard work, and the power of humor and goodwill.
Glenna was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, and thoroughly enjoyed working in the church office until she was no longer able to do so.
Glenna’s loved ones will continue her legacy. She is survived by her son, Bruce Brashear (Connie); daughters, Daphne Brashear Herron (Jim) and Annette Brashear Ball; her grandchildren, Amelia Lindsey (Kip) and Benjamin Brashear (Christine), and their mother, Judy; grandchildren, Austen Herron and Wilder Herron; step-grandchildren, Tanya Sonderby (Tony), Stacey Allen (Craig), Heather Terricola, and Aria Terricola; numerous great-grandchildren; and nephew, Dan Fraley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy; father, Garland Frisby; mother, Myrtle Frisby; sister, Lorna Fraley; and son-in-law, Danny Ball.
The family would like to thank Glenna’s devoted caregivers, whose gentle and loving kindness provided comfort to Glenna and support to her family.
Glenna’s life will be celebrated on Friday, October 27th, at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends, Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Santa Fe College Foundation, Billy and Glenna F. Brashear Nursing and Health Related Scholarship Fund.
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