Georgia Lou Brazil

Georgia Brazil

1933 – 2025

Gilbert, AZ

Georgia Lou (Anas) Brazil was born April 7, 1933 in Omaha, NE.

Raised in Beatrice, NE, Georgia graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Hastings College in 1955. 

Georgia was recruited out of college to work at White Sands Proving Ground (aka White Sands Missile Range) in Las Cruces, NM, where her chemistry and math skills enabled her to conduct manual calculations for the landing trajectory of test-fired missiles.  Her work at the missile range was a precursor to the NASA space program. Through this assignment, she met her future husband, Basil Brazil.

After the birth of their two daughters, Georgia became a junior high school Math and later American History teacher for seven years.  In 1970 the family moved to Santa Rosa, NM where Basil had been recruited to become the Business Manager and Comptroller of the newly-constructed Sheriff’s Texaco Truckstop, located on the expanding I-40 interstate system through New Mexico.

While in Santa Rosa, NM, Georgia was asked to accept the responsibility of managing the truckstop's restaurant on an interim basis.  She was familiar with the nuances of running a restaurant because her father had owned and operated a successful restaurant in Beatrice, NE for several years.

Georgia and Basil were transferred to Nashville, TN in 1976, where Basil was the Office Services Manager in the corporate office of Truckstops of America, which had recently acquired Sheriff’s Truckstop.

Georgia’s final career spanned 20 years as a Cookbook Editor for Favorite Recipes Press, a division of Southwestern/Great American Publishing in Nashville, TN.  During her tenure, she also served as Managing Editor of The Volume Library, a set of reference books developed for schools and homes.

Georgia relocated to Sunrise of Gilbert, AZ Independent Living Community in the summer of 2018.  She delighted in the new friends she made, and the constant companionship of her beloved cat, Cosmo.

With the support of Anthem Hospice Care, she slipped away peacefully on March 21st, with her daughters by her side.

Georgia was predeceased by her husband Basil. She is survived by her daughters Suzi McMullin (Talbert McMullin) and Lynne Brazil (Tim O’Rourke); her grandchildren Russell DeGraff, Tyler O’Rourke (Anna Maloney), and Blair O’Rourke (Beau Yavor); and her great-granddaughter Nora Maloney-O’Rourke.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sunrise of Gilbert on April 7th, 2025.