Inez Brown McHan
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Inez Brown McHan, age 93, known to most as Nezie, transitioned to her heavenly home on Friday, June 4, 2021, in Smyrna, GA. She was preceded in death in 2011 by her husband, Jack McHan, after 64 wonderful years of marriage.
Nezie was born March 11, 1928, in Spring Place, GA to John Freeman Brown and Dessie Jackson Brown, who preceded her in death. Her sister, Pauline (Polly) Brown Ridley (Mrs. Herman) died in April 2021 at age 90. She has one surviving sister, Nancy Brown Burnett (Mrs. Bill) of Dalton, GA.
Born prematurely at home, she was not weighed by the country doctor who attended because she was so small and he declared she would not live. But her grandmother put her in a wooden box behind the kitchen wood stove and her uncle Oscar fed her with a medicine dropper. A favorite story to tell, she would end it by saying, "Doc Bradford should see me now!" because she made it to 93.
On February 27, 1947, she and Jack, her high school sweetheart, sneaked across the Gordon County line and were secretly married by a justice of the peace. She was 18 and he was 17 but his driver's license said he was 19. They told no one they were married, trying to first rent a place to live; but, her younger sister, Polly, accidentally discovered the marriage and threatened to tell their folks. They bought her a pair of roller skates to keep her quiet, but, in August, she told anyway! Their secret was out and they soon moved in together. They both graduated from Murray County High School--Nezie in the Class of 1945.
She worked nearly 30 years at Jones Real Estate in Dalton, GA, where she ran the office and had the daunting task of keeping Alfred Jones organized. They were a great team who got along famously and the business grew to a bustling agency with several brokers and agents. But she never sold real estate.
Nezie is survived by her daughter, Penelope McHan Murphy (Mrs. Mike) of Smyrna, GA; her granddaughter, Megan Heath Prendergast (Mrs. Patrick); and one great grandchild, Jackson Lee Prendergast, whom she adored.
She had two nieces, Judy Ridley Lusk (Mrs. Smokey) of Rocky Face, GA; and Vicki Ridley Wood (Mrs. Rory) of Chatsworth, GA, daughters of Polly; one nephew, Zachary Burnett (Ashley) of Ringgold, GA, son of Nancy, and nine great and great-great nieces and nephews. She faithfully sent them birthday cards containing $1, continuing her father's tradition of giving family members birthday dollars. The youngsters really enjoyed getting those cards.
She spent most of her life in Murray County, but moved to Smyrna in 2013 to be near her daughter and family. She had many former neighbors, friends and family members with whom loved to catch up by phone. One of her favorite telephone buddies was Paula Ball Gordon, niece of Tunnel Hill, GA, and they talked daily. From both sides of the family, her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews all considered her their close family. She loved all her extended family and delighted in seeing their photos and activities on social media.
A private graveside service is planned at Spring Place Cemetery in the near future. An historic, old cemetery in the Historic Township of Spring Place, the cemetery is privately owned and maintained. She asked donations be made to it in lieu of flowers. Please send donations to Spring Place Cemetery Committee, 329 Hwy. 225 South, Spring Place, GA 30705.