Name: Viewing for Dr. Gwendolyn Middlebrooks
Start: 2024-02-12T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Pollard & Moore Funeral Home, Inc.

MIDDLEBROOKS, Gwendolyn PhD

Dr. Gwendolyn Harris Middlebrooks, 84, civil rights activist and beloved educator, passed away on February 7, 2024. Born on November 1, 1939, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as the third child of the union of Mrs. Lillie Mae Hughley Harris and Mr. Edward Harris, Dr. Middlebrooks moved to Atlanta at a young age and became deeply involved in the fight for equality, participating in key actions that led to the desegregation of the city. A Spelman College alumna, she later returned there to embark on a distinguished 42-year career, shaping future leaders, and retiring as professor emerita. Dr. Middlebrooks earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University and received numerous accolades for her contributions to civil rights and education. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Mr. James Thomas Middlebrooks; her children, Dr. Jayne Thenise Morgan (Joe), Dr. Valerie Leah Johnson (Michael), and Mr. Kevin James Middlebrooks (Bijou); her sister, Yvonne Harris; and her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Mr. Alfred Harris, and Mr. Edward Harris (Peaky). Services will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church on February 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be held in our Chapel from 11:00 AM-7:00 PM on Monday at Pollard and Moore Funeral Home, Inc., 827 Pollard Blvd., SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30315. 404-688-7073. on February 11, 2024, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The funeral is open to the public.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Feb. 12, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Gwendolyn Middlebrooks

Sponsored by Pollard & Moore Funeral Home, Inc..

13 Entries

Cheryl Watson-Barnes

February 17, 2024

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Dr. Lucretia Payton Stewart

February 15, 2024

Dr. Middlebrooks was a true scholar. I served as her chairman in her unwavering commitment to pursuing excellence during her doctoral program at Georgia State University. A committed scholar and advocate for her students. I will miss our conversations and her laughter. To the family my prayers go out to you. I served as Gwen's major advisor Dr. Lucretia Payton Stewart. I will miss my friend.

Ojetta Pearson Class of `82

February 13, 2024

Dr. Middlebrooks was an amazing educator!
She prepared my classmates and I
to enter the
"Teaching Profession" !
She taught us special teaching
techniques and showed us how to positively present ourselves to our students, to our
coworkers, and to the parents
of our students.
She was a lady of grace and strength!
Rest-In-Peace, Dear Lady!
Ojetta Pearson
Class of `82

Lydia Garnier B. Jamison

February 13, 2024

Mr. Middlebrooks and Family,
I am praying with and for your peace at this 'valley time'; however, I rejoice with you in remembering a life lived well - a good and faithful servant.
The smiling remarks of Mr. Middlebrooks during the time I worked with him surely gave me a glimpse of Dr. Middlebrooks as well as the astounding respect amongst our Church Family of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

The Hackett Family

Planted Trees

SHAWNALEA GARVIN

February 13, 2024

When I joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in the mid 90´s. I felt alone in the crowd. She was one of two people that reached out to me and connected with me once she noticed me coming regularly and not yet connecting even though I had joined 2 groups. Once my son was about 3yrs old; I often chatted with her in the nursery. As well as after church in the parking lot. In more recent years - I was one of the folks she rally´d as she reignited a particular Sunday School class. I thank you Dr. Middlebooks for touching my life with the love of a mother and a touch of the Holy Spirit. I am forever grateful for your having lived.
Sleep Well, my Ebenezer friend and encourager. Love and peace to her family and The Ebenezer Baptist Church family.
We have lost a "she-ro".

Dr. Evelyn N. Gilliard

February 13, 2024

Gwen was a Dear friend. We shared rooms at professional conferences and Bridge tournaments.
I served as an adjunct professor under her leadership for years. Her energy and intellect were amazing.
Rest in peace my friend.

Dr. Evelyn N. Gilliard

Tamyra Childs

February 12, 2024

Dr. Middlebrooks was not only my favorite college professor but a dear friend I will surely miss. When I heard about her passing I began to cry but as I continued reminiscing about our moments together, something made me chuckle.
I was a freshman student at Spelman College and I had a paper due to Dr. Middlebrooks the day before spring break. I told Dr. Middlebrooks that I had been working on the paper and I would make sure the paper would be turned in to her, the Monday after vacation. Her words were " Tamyra you better not go away. You better work on that paper." Well I thought I had an advantage because Dr. Middlebrooks was my friend.
After returning from spring break I handed her my report. She immediately ripped up the paper and threw it into the trash. I said " Dr. Middlebrooks, how could you do that?" She said you can accept a "D" on this paper or do it over, to receive a higher grade. She preached to me about responsibility, making the right decisions and to strive in life to be the best at all times. From that day on, I can reassure you, I never took our friendship for granted.
My heart is heavy in the loss of my mentor and dear friend. Rest in peace Dr. Middlebrooks.

Pat White Chatard

February 12, 2024

An admired and well-lived classmate

Dr. Lisa Williams

February 12, 2024

It was an honor to have known Dr. Middlebrooks. Her intellect, compassion and joy will forever be etched in my memory.

Linda Akanbi

February 11, 2024

Gwen and I worked in the Ford Teacher Scholars Program of the Georgia Consortium for Minority Teacher Education together. She coordinated the program at Spelman College, and I coordinated the program at Kennesaw State University. I am pictured in the middle of the photo. Gwen was a joy to be around. She was full of energy and always positive and helpful. She was a dedicated educator who taught, mentored and inspired many. May she Rest In Peace.
Dr. Linda Akanbi

Delores Stephens

February 11, 2024

My heart is heavy at the loss of a friend. Rest in peace, Gwen. E Delores B Stephens

Dr. Ann D. Smith

February 10, 2024

Dr. Gwendolyn Middlebrooks was a dear friend and fellow teacher educator. She and I had the fortunate opportunity to serve as professors and leaders in teacher education roles at Spelman and I at Kennesaw State respectively.
We first met at one of our Georgia Association of Teacher (GATE) Conferences back in the late 1980´s and continued that long friendship into our
well deserved retirement.
However, she never fully retired .
She remained active in professional associations including Georgia Association of Teacher Educators ( GATE) . She was not only recognized and performed distinguished work in education at the local , state levels , but also through her work with regional, national and international affiliates. She will be remembered as a mentor, leader, scholar , master teacher and influential leader in teacher and leadership education .
Dr. Middlebrooks was truly a minister of education. Her legacy will live forever through the lives she touched as a leader in education; not to mention the her role as a wife , mother and grandmother. Dear friend Rest Peace after making exceptional contributions to all aspects of humanity. The world is a better place because of contributions made to it by Dr. Gwendolyn Middlebrooks! My deepest condolences to her beloved husband and my friend Mr. James Middlebrooks and their blessed family.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results