Mrs. Brenda Ramonia Fair Pickelsimer, age 69 of Mineral Bluff, GA passed away on April 28, 2016 following a brief illness. She was born in Polk County, Tennessee on June 19, 1946 to the late Rev. Frank Fort Fair and Anna Leota Fritz Fair.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an unborn child, sister-in-law Christine Winkler Pickelsimer, niece Jackie Pickelsimer, nephews Landon Pickelsimer and Jimmy Pickelsimer, son-in-law Kerry Thomas, brothers-in-law Buck Harvey, George W. Pickelsimer, Raymond Newberry and sister Patsy Ruth Harvey and best friend Bennie Butts of Blairsville.

Survivors include her children James Pickelsimer, Jr. and son-in-law Kevin York of Jefferson, daughter and son-in-law Angela and David Cohran of Athens, grandchildren Jamie and Erin Caylor of Buford, John Caylor of Jefferson and Angela Caylor of Athens, Mary Beth Harvey and Courtney Harvey of Blue Ridge, Devin and Justin Bell of Cumming, great-granddaughter Temperance Alm, sister Frances Newberry, Epworth, GA, brother and sister-in-law Frank and Peggy Fair of Blue Ridge, bother and sister-in-law Thomas and Norma Fair of Ohio, brother and sister-in-law Dewey and Arline Pickelsimer, Gainesville, sister-in-law Betty Pickelsimer and a special nephew Thomas Fair of Lompoc, California. Several nieces, nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews also survive.

Mrs. Pickelsimer was a lifelong member of of the Baptist faith. She was a former member of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Blairsville and a member of New Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Mineral Bluff, GA.

After graduating high school. Mrs. Pickelsimer worked briefly as a waitress in the Atlanta area and sang in a Gospel group. After her marriage, she worked as a sewing machine operator at Owenby’s Manufacturing in Blairsville. Her independence was cut tragically short in an automobile accident in 1973 which left her in a coma for more than 3 months, however she retained her feistiness and determination. She loved to play the piano, sing Gospel music and work in her “puzzle books”. She was also an avid coffee drinker and loved honey buns.

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel with Shannon Queen and Rev. Jeff Fair officiating. Music was provided by Shannon and Michelle Queen. Interment followed in the Van Hook Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: James Caylor, John Caylor, Angela Caylor, Devin Bell, Mary Beth Harvey and Courtney Harvey. Serving as honorary pallbearers were: Caleb Martin, Kyra Harvey, David Winston Harvey, Jessica Harvey and Jeremy Harvey. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA was in charge of the arrangements.