John Bracey Jr.

John Alston Bracey, Jr. died peacefully at the time and place of God’s choosing, surrounded by his wife Mary Ellen Neill Payne, son Neill Houston Payne (Katie) and his faithful Labrador Tubby.

Johnny was born December 22, 1948, to Marie Brice Bracey and Jack Bracey. After growing up in Thomasville and on Tallokas Plantation, Johnny graduated from the University of Georgia, returning to Thomasville to join the business that had been in his family for generations. Bracey Lumber Company produced custom architectural millwork which allowed Johnny to work very closely with architects Edward Vason Jones and William Frank McCall to provide beautiful one of-a-kind millwork for exquisite homes on Saint Simon’s Island, Sea Island and in many homes throughout north Florida and south Georgia. Restorations and renovation projects on numerous area plantations were completed by Johnny and Bracey Lumber Company. But his proudest achievement in the millwork business was designing, building and installing millwork in the Red, Blue and Green Rooms in the White House. He was also intricately involved in the renovation of the Diplomatic Reception Room in the U.S. State Department, Washington, D.C.

He was a lover of birds, dogs, horses and the ocean. After his retirement from BLC Johnny founded and served as president of Red Road Rescue, a local nonprofit providing food and veterinary care to needy dogs in Thomas County.

He is survived by a sister Betsy Bracey Thompson (Randy), nieces Allison Brice-Grasso and Emily Segrest. Children: Margaret Bracey McDaniel (Brian),Ginger Bracey Freisen (Jon), John Alston Bracey III (Lauren), bonus daughter Mette Ferslov Schultz (Ole), of Vejle, Denmark. Grandchildren: Turner Brice McDaniel, Mary Margaret and Chase Freisen, Ivey Jane Bracey and granddaughter in love, Lilly Nicole Anderson. Johnny will also be deeply missed by Dr. Bruce and Evelyn Neill, Abby Neill (Cal), Emma Neill and Jessica Neill Matthews (Greg).

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 14th with visitation at 4 pm and Memorial Service to follow at 5 pm in the chapel of Allen and Allen Funeral Home.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Johnny’s memory may be made to Red Road Rescue in care of Thomasville National Bank 301 North Broad Street Thomasville, Georgia 31792.