Barbara Brawley

1941 - 2026

Barbara "Midgie" Brawley passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. A native "Mecklenburger," Midgie was born to the late Joseph "Howard" and Mamie Wilson. Born in Charlotte at then-Mercy Hospital with her beloved twin, Mickey. She was baptized and married at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church and spent her life working and living in Charlotte. Graduating from North Mecklenburg High School in 1959 and Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1962, she then married William "Bill" Moore Brawley in 1963. Together they were married 49 years and raised two children and a multitude of farm animals. Once a nurse, always a nurse, Midgie's life was dedicated to helping people. She spread her love not only to family and friends but truly to anyone who needed her. Her passion was always the "patient" whether family, friend, or fellow employee, but especially those struggling with a mental health issue or substance use disorder. She found a calling to help anyone find their way to well-being and recovery. That calling brought her to the First Union Corporation as their corporate nurse and Employee Assistance Director for more than 25 years. One of the founders of the North Carolina Employee Assistance Professionals Association (NC EAPA), Midgie dedicated much of her time to guiding professionals and their clients to recovery.

One of Midgie's prescriptions for helping people included feeding them. She found great joy in feeding everyone well, from the unplanned guests her husband Bill brought home from coffee shops fire stations and union halls to family and the many friends of her children. She loved cooking, but mostly she loved feeding people. Midgie was preceded in death by her dear husband, William Moore "Bill" Brawley, mother, Mamie Wilson (ne Fesperman) and father, Joseph "Howard" Wilson, her brothers, John George Victor Wilson, Howard Lee "Buddy" Wilson, and Joseph Vann "Mickey" Wilson, along with her sisters, Jeane Wilson Stanley and Shirley Wilson Hasty. She leaves behind her daughter, Martha Ann McConnell (Bruce) and son, William Moore "Bill" Brawley, II (Vickie), her grandchildren, Nicklaus Brawley, Mary Grace McConnell, Taylor Brawley, and Lillian McConnell. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews she loved like her own as well as their children and grandchildren. The family will hold a graveside service at a later time and would like to thank the physicians, nurses, and the entire team at Sampson Regional Medical Center and the SECU Hospice House in Brunswick County for the excellent care delivered to Midgie and the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in support of the Partnership for Pediatric Hearts Fund at AtriumHealthFoundation.org/tribute (mail to 7800 Providence Road, Suite 208, Charlotte, NC 28226) or The Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes (Formerly JDRF), Charlotte Chapter at 205 Regency Executive Park Dr, Suite 102, Charlotte, North Carolina, Suite 102.