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Deborah Williams Brandon passed away on April 10, 2019. Her ex-husband, Jack Allen Brandon, passed away on Aug. 20, 2018. A remembrance gathering will be held for Deborah and Jack from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, in the Dayton Room of the Windsor Hotel in Americus, Ga. The gathering will be casual dress and informal — just a time for relatives, friends, and acquaintances to meet, introduce themselves and share what they will of their memories of Deb and Jack.

Deborah is survived by her brother John Williams of Opelika, Ala., and Jack is survived by his sister Bernice and her husband Jerry Williams of El Paso, Texas. Deb and Jack together are survived by their daughter-in-law Jennifer Brandon and their granddaughter Ellise Brandon who lives in Pensacola, Fla. Ellie’s father, Judson Brandon, passed away in 2009.

Deborah grew up in southwest Georgia at Cordray’s Mill in Calhoun County. She graduated from Brenau College. She was a teacher and, after marrying Jack, a housewife and a mother. Jack was a corporate pilot when they married, and they lived for two years in Nigeria and then in a number of cities around the U.S. For the latter part of their lives, Jack lived in North Carolina, and Deb lived in Americus. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Kentucky and worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the state of Georgia.

Jack grew up in Canada and was a member of the Canadian naval auxiliary while he was in high school. He graduated from college at the University of Texas — El Paso. Prior to flying as a corporate pilot, Jack spent 20 years in the Marine Corps. He served three tours in Viet Nam, and over the course of those tours he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” the Air Medal with Bronze Star, a second Air Medal with Gold Star, the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” the Distinguished Flying Cross, a second Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart.

As so often happens, Deb’s and Jack’s marriage did not last. But they are remembered and admired by many of us for their love of their son, for their love of their granddaughter and for always remaining friends. They kept in touch. Each cared for the other, and they looked after one another until the end of Jack’s life. They loved each other.