A Death In The Family

Colleen Bailey Mabry, wife of Georgia Democratic party and labor leader Herb Mabry, passed away on December 28, 2009, at the age of 80.  Colleen was born on January 4, 1929 and grew up in Hartwell, GA. She graduated from Hart County High School as valedictorian of her class. After graduating from high school, she came to Atlanta to work for the telephone company. In addition to raising six children, Colleen continued to work at various bookkeeping positions and retired about 15 years ago as a manager in the finance department of Fulton County. At the age of 48 she decided to go back to school to obtain her college degree. She attended Georgia State University at night while still working a full-time job and graduated with a bachelor’s degree a few years later at age 53. Colleen was very involved in the Democratic Party of Georgia, and was an enthusiastic member of the “Peanut Brigade” supporting Jimmy Carter for President. She was an avid reader and she and her husband traveled quite extensively over the years. Colleen was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs.