Thelma Denyer Brownett

Thelma Denyer Brownett October 26, 1924 - January 21, 2011 Thelma Denyer Brownett, 86, died on January 21, 2011 at Flagler Hospital following a brief illness. Her parents, Harry and Olivia May Brownett immigrated from Croydon, England in 1922. She was born on October 26, 1924, and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from Robert E Lee High School, she attended Wesleyan Conservatory and earned a bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in 1946. She later attended University of Georgia and graduated in1952 with a master's in Fine Arts. She began her teaching career in 1947 as an art instructor at Fletcher Senior High School in Jacksonville, and then went on to teach as a college art professor at Augusta College, Univ of Georgia, Georgia State University, Jacksonville University, and Florida Junior College at Jacksonville (now Florida State College at Jacksonville), where she helped found the art department and served as head of the art department for many years, retiring in 1985. She maintained a painting studio in Jacksonville for 30 years, and was owner of the Oxford Gallery, where she housed her fine art and portrait studio, and later designed stained glass at her Oxford Stained Glass gallery. She is the author of Painting (1976), and Painting: Studio Handbook (1982). Her paintings have been exhibited and included in many private collections and public art museums both locally and abroad. Early in her career, she also served as Commissioner of Art for the state of Georgia, and Director of the Gertrude Herbert Art Museum. She is survived by her brother, Edward Brownett; two nephews and one niece-in-law, Hal Brownett, George and Tracye Brownett; grandniece Erin Denyer Brownett; and grandnephews, Christopher Brownett, and Andrew Brownett. All reside in St. Augustine. We will all miss her passion for art and life, and her playful personality that inspired everyone around her. The family would like to thank the staff at the Grafton House in St. Augustine for providing years of loving care. Services will be held at 2 pm on Monday, January 24, at the Oaklawn Cemetery funeral chapel in Jacksonville, with Dr. Pat Turner-Sharpton officiating. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.