Nell Hubbard

Nell Bryan Hubbard, age 82 of Suwanee, GA passed away Sunday, September 20th from a 12 year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. It was fitting that Nell met her Lord and Savior on a Sunday, because it was her favorite day of the week. Our saying was, if the church is open, Nell was there. She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Patrick Hubbard in 1998. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Claire and Jack Mann; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Amy Hubbard; grandchildren, Davis Hubbard, Ellis Mann, Kate Hubbard, and Charlotte Mann; sisters Agnes Jackson, and Jackie Davis; brother Jerry Bryan; numerous nieces and nephews.
Nell was born September 26, 1937 in Franklin, GA. She was the 9th of 11 children born to Bud Bryan, a farmer, and Dussie, a former schoolteacher. Nell’s father taught her how to sing and read notes, and singing became her lifelong passion, singing in church choirs and choral groups for most of her life. The lessons and experiences she grew up with defined her work ethic and love for family. Even as her memory faded, Nell hung on to childhood memories until the last two years of her life and could still sing hymns on key.
Nell graduated from Heard County High School, where she was a cheerleader. She was awarded a full Callaway Scholarship to attend Young Harris College, where she was a member of the Susan B Harris, and Dorcas Societies, but her claim to fame was winning the Washington Day Speaker’s Award the year after Zell Miller!
Nell met the love of her life, Patrick, while she was collecting money for the heart fund. There was a toll for the bridge in Franklin that crosses the Chattahoochee River and Pat drove across numerous times, eventually asking her out on a date to go to a dance at Simpson. Dancing became an important part of their life, and they once won a shag dance contest at the Buckhead Beach. They proudly wore their shirts, “The Shag is my bag at the Buckhead Beach”.
Nell and Pat married September 4, 1960 and lived in Savannah, GA, Columbia, SC, Atlanta, GA, New City, NJ, Ho-Ho Kus, NJ, and eventually settled back in Atlanta to raise their children. Nell was the consummate room mother and cheer mom, and never missed a game or activity that her children participated in. She was a talented seamstress who sewed cheerleading uniforms, and dance formals, as well as her children’s clothes when they were younger. Claire recalls coming home for weekends from college where Nell would whip up a sorority formal dress in record time.
Nell’s happy place was on the beach in Hilton Head Island, SC, where the family owned a timeshare condo. They first visited with their friends the Anthonys in 1980, and eventually purchased their own unit. That family tradition continues to this day, where generations gather and reminisce each year.
Nell enjoyed singing in the Briarlake Baptist Sanctuary choir, and then the Johns Creek Baptist Sanctuary Choir. She also enjoyed many years as a member of the Jubalheirs, a female chorus who serve and perform through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
Starting in 1976, Nell worked for the Uniroyal Tire Company, then the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company, which was then purchased by the Michelin Group in 1989. She started at Uniroyal as an Administrative Assistant, and was promoted to manage a group of salespeople when the company was purchased by Michelin. She retired from Michelin in 1999. One of her favorite things to do with a friend she met through Michelin headquarters in Greenville, SC was to travel and attend book signings of Nicholas Sparks. She treasured her collection of signed books from him.
The family will welcome friends at a Visitation on Thursday, September 24th from 6:00-8:00 at A.S.Turner and Son in Decatur, GA. The funeral will be at 11:00 on Friday, September 25th at A.S. Turner and Son with Larry Sullivan officiating. Face masks will be required. Interment will be conducted at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Newnan, GA following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Young Harris College; 1 College Street; Young Harris, GA 30582. Please place the name Eliza Nell Bryan Hubbard with the donation.