Gretta Dewald

Family-Placed Death Notice

GRETTA M. DEWALD Gretta M. Dewald, born 10/26/1929, died 10/30/2006 at Cypress Court in Decatur. She graduated from Atlanta Girls High School in 1946; Agnes Scott in 1950 and married Charles Dewald on 12/20/51. She had five children, Mike of Watkinsville, Jon of Wilson, NC, Hank of Littleton, NC, Janie Bailey of McDonough, Joe of Montclair, VA; and seven grandchildren. Mrs. Dewald was very active in North Decatur Presbyterian Church in late '50's, 60's, 70's while her children were growing. She was also very active in PTA, library, Indian Guides, Cub Scouts; and was Scoutmaster of the Girl Scout Troop. She became active in politics while her youngest son was in a playpen. She helped organize Democratic Women of DeKalb; and was active in the Democratic Party of DeKalb, where she was elected its President. Mrs. Dewald helped re-write the state party's by-laws. She was very active in Jimmy Carter's 1970 gubernatorial campaign in DeKalb where a large DeKalb voter turnout for Carter was a notable factor in his win. She actively campaigned to establish MARTA; and then served on the first MARTA Board. She was a team leader in Carter's 1976 Peanut Brigade leading to his Presidential victory and also Co-Chairperson of his DeKalb County campaign. The Carters called her to Washington to be Director - Women's Division of the Democratic National Party. In 1980, she returned to DeKalb as Executive Assistant to CEO Manuel Maloof, from '81 to '89 - the longest-serving and only woman to fill that job. In 1989, she organized and managed Pre-Trial Release Program for DeKalb Court System, retiring at the end of 1994. Georgia State University Library has her records and papers. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, November 2nd at Decatur Presbyterian Church, Rev. Kim Smith King officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at A. S. Turner & Sons.