Dr. Donald Brett

Dr. Donald Brett, Chattahoochee Hills, GA, passed away at his home on September 8, 2023. Donald was born October 24, 1938, in Sandersville, GA, to parents William Henry Clay Brett and Dorothy Chapman Brett. He was a “surprise twin” to his brother Ronald. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death just two weeks by his wife of 63 years, Mylene. Also preceding him are his brother and sister in-law, Earl and Peggy Brett. Donald was a graduate of Sandersville High School and Georgia State University, and earned a technical certificate in Chemistry from the Florida State University. In high school, he played football and was a trombone player in the band. His afterschool jobs included working as a “soda jerk” at Newsome’s Drug Store and concessions at the Pastime Theatre. Donald once convinced Ronald to work in his place at the theatre so he could go on a date. Ronald agreed, and their plan was only discovered when Ronald burned several batches of popcorn! After graduating from high school, Donald left Washington County in middle Georgia to attend Georgia State University. While in Atlanta, he met a young Mylene Busbee of Cordele, GA, who was enrolled at Massey Business College. Donald and Mylene hit it off instantly, but he struggled to remember her name. To assure spending time with her, Donald would drive his ’55 Chevrolet to Mylene’s dormitory, and tell everyone to “hop in the car—we will go to The Varsity!” No one had a vehicle, so everyone always accepted Donald’s offer. Before long, Donald’s offer was only for Mylene—the two enjoyed Varsity chili dogs and a Varsity Orange drink until their very last days. Donald often recalled how many date nights he and Mylene stood on North Avenue watching road crews below build Interstate 75-85. Donald and Mylene married June 19, 1960, in Unadilla, GA, and had two sons, Greg and Glenn. Once married, Donald and Mylene moved to Tallahassee, FL, where Donald worked in surgical equipment sales. When they moved to Sandersville in 1963, Donald worked for Atlanta Gas Light, and later as a chemist with Thiele Kaolin Company. He also held sales positions with Swift, PAMCO and Sears-Roebuck. His experience selling and installing fencing for Sears led him to establish Brett Fencing Company in 1972. Sisters Baptist Church in Sandersville licensed Donald to preach in 1968 and later ordained him in 1971 to the Gospel Ministry. Donald operated his fencing company and served as a bi-vocational minister at Hines Baptist Church in Midville, GA, for several years until he accepted his first full-time pastorate and began what would be several moves across the state serving as a pastor for the next 53 years. Donald’s pastorates include Whitewater Baptist Church (Oglethorpe), Odum Baptist Church (Odum), Greenville Baptist Church (Greenville), Harmony Baptist Church (Monroe), Bethel Baptist Church (Bethlehem) and Fellowship Baptist Church (Palmetto). Donald served many years with the Georgia Baptist Convention Royal Ambassador Program leading RA groups on Appalachian Trails hikes and directing summer camps. He served as a Chaplain for the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Depatment, the Walton County Sheriff’s Department and the Walton County Hospital in Monroe, GA.

Dr. Donald Brett

October 24, 1938 - September 8, 2023