Ginger Leigh Brake

Ginger Leigh Brake, beloved daughter, mother, sister, and friend, passed away on Monday, January 27th, 2025. She was 44 years old. 

A lifelong native of Athens, Georgia, Ginger attended Cedar Shoals High School and Athens Technical College. For more than 20 years, Ginger dedicated herself to early childhood education, where her innate gifts of compassion, patience, and unwavering love for children impacted the lives of her students, co-workers, and parents in countless ways. She loved seeing her students learn and grow to reach their highest potential, cheering them on with her joyful spirit and words of encouragement. 

Ginger had a zest for adventure and made lasting friendships with so many throughout every chapter of her life. She loved attending live music shows, reading, watching classic movies, and taking her twins Frankie and Julia on fun trips and getaways. While being mom to her twins was her greatest joy in life, her heart was prepared for motherhood by Jake, her beloved pit bull and companion of many years.

Ginger was preceded in death by her mother, Zora Brake. Survivors include her father, Walter Brake; her twin children Frankie and Julia Guerra; her siblings, Angela Hutto (Ken), April Hassell (Andy), Tom Brake Jr., and Michael Brake; niece and nephew Emily Bryant and Andrew Bryant along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

A memorial service and Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 9th at 2:30 pm at St. James Church, 111 Westlake Drive, Athens. There will be an opportunity during the service for friends to share a brief remembrance or reflection. A reception and visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Support for Frankie and Julia Guerra gofundme or AutismSpeaks.

Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements.