Dr. Brown Wimberly Dennis died December 30, 2014. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Jean Puryear Dennis, three children Brown W. Dennis, Jr. (Kathryn) of Macon, Margaret Hoch of Swarthmore, PA and Julia Maxwell (Craig) of Atlanta, and nine grandchildren: Brown III, Sarah and Wimberly Dennis, Jack and Jean Hoch, and Margaret, Elisabeth, David and William Maxwell. Brown was born in Macon Georgia in 1932, the first born child of Norwood Robson and Allen Johnson Dennis. He is survived by his sister Norwood Grinalds (John) of Charleston, SC and his brother, Dr. Allen J. Dennis, Jr. of Augusta, GA.
Following graduation from Macon public schools and Davidson College, he earned his Medical degree at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He completed a Pennsylvania Hospital Internship and a Medical College of Georgia Residency before entry into military service as Chief of Medicine at McDonald Army Hospital Ft. Eustis, VA. After two years of military service, he became a Fellow in diabetes and endocrinology at the University of Virginia. His private medical practice began in 1965 at Piedmont Hospital and continued there until 2000.
He was known as a kind and compassionate physician who fought to get his patients the very best care. His steadfast love for his Lord Jesus Christ allowed him to use his God given talents to help not only his patients but anybody he came in contact with. “Brown ministered to heart, body and soul touching thousands of lives with his smile, his kindness, his healing touch and his dedication to serving Christ, through the least of us.” His community service focused on the Salvation Army’s endeavors and its many officers and the Presbyterian World Mission Board as a medical consultant for missionaries. He cared for countless missionaries and Salvation Army workers.
For his community service, Brown was awarded the 11 Alive Community Service Award; the Institute for Public Service’s Thomas Jefferson Award; the Medical Association of Atlanta’s Aven Cup; and the Piedmont Hospital Nicholas E. Davies’ Community Service Award. The Salvation Army presented him the Exceptional Service Award. Following retirement, he continued to volunteer at Salvation Army Clinics and the Free Clinic at the Community Helping Place in Dahlonega into his early 80’s. Practicing medicine for over 56 years and working and playing at his country place, Brown’s Remedy, in Lumpkin County (Porter Springs) took most of his time.
His wife, children, and grandchildren gave him immense pride and pleasure. His extended family and friends were loved dearly by this gentle, wise, and humble man.
A memorial service celebrating Brown’s life will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 2:00 PM at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Salvation Army, Metro Atlanta Area Command, P.O. Box 930188, Norcross, GA 30003-0188 or The Community Helping Place, P.O. Box 712, Dahlonega, GA 30533