Dona Brannon

Dona Catherine Dallas ‘Komara’ Brannon peacefully entered her heavenly home and into her Lord’s loving arms on September 11, 2019.

She was born July 13, 1932 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Lawrence Dean Dallas and Katherine Playez Dallas.

She is survived by four sons: Donald K. Komara and Deborah Dahn of Fort Worth, TX; Lawrence D. Komara & Michelle Blair of Pulaski, TN; Mark Komara and his wife Vicki of Huntsville, AL; Jeffery L. Komara and his wife Suzanne of Huntsville, AL. Affectionately known as “Gram”, she was the loving grandmother to ten grandchildren: Daman Komara of Fort Worth, TX, Taylor Komara of Stuart, FL; Aaron Komara and his wife Emily of Hazel Green, AL; Caitlin Hopf and her husband Tom of Huntsville, AL; Greg Komara of Austin, TX; Tori, Johnny and Anthony Komara all of Huntsville, AL; Johnna Komara of Nevada City, CA; Lindsey Purviance and her husband Steve of Austin, TX; and five great grandchildren; Neffi, Elias, Wade, Aubrey, and Marvin.

She was preceded in death by a son Gregory Dean Komara, daughter-in-law Amanda Komara and her brother Noel Dallas.

Dona adored her sons and considers them to be her greatest love and more than that, wanted them to be close and love each other. She created a lively and loving home in many different cities across the country. Most importantly, Dona created a home of faith, encouragement, freedom, respect, responsibility, and loyalty to each other. She was an exceptional cook and baker with passed down recipes and spent thousands of hours perfecting them on five sons, their father, and many friends. Her sons’ friends consider her cooking legendary and dropped by for visits long after her children were grown and gone. Her soups were in high demand among the regulars at the Furniture Factory Bar & Grill. Holidays will never be the same without her and the special pastries that always arrived in time.

In the early 1970’s, Dona was the administrative assistant to the principal at Ed White Middle School. In the mid to late 1970’s became the administrative assistant for the assistant principal at Johnson High School. She was loving and caring to each student in both schools and was loved in return by them all.

In 1979-1981, Dona was the administrative assistant for the Athletic Department at Alabama A&M University.

After successfully raising her sons she started a new career in the jewelry business first in Huntsville, AL., then transferring to St. Augustine and finally Stuart, FL. She worked 20+ years for Marks and Morgan Jewelers as a certified Gemologist and top national salesperson.

In retirement she returned to Huntsville to be near her sons. Dona was a lifelong sports fan from childhood when her father owned a minor league baseball team. She supported her sons and grandsons in many sports. Lately she liked nothing better than watching the Atlanta Braves, Auburn Tigers, and UAH Chargers, while sitting beside one of her sons. Dona loved bingo, horse races, cards, and other board games. She learned to dance as a young girl, taking lessons from the late Gene Kelly. She and her brother Noel, who was an excellent dancer, would dance with neighborhood and school friends at “The Canteen”. Dancing was a great joy for her. She would dance in the street or anywhere and with anybody. She always had a puzzle going in her home to encourage visitors to stay longer and could strike up a friendship in the grocery store. She spent her spare time as a volunteer tutor at Lincoln Academy, bringing treats and rewards to make sure each child felt special.

The family would like to thank the staff of Comfort Care Hospice, Terry “Thomas” Woodfin, Robin “Rhonda” Goebel, & Earnestine Smith for their compassionate care as her health was failing. Thank you also to Dan Aldridge for performing couch-side “concerts”, Stephen Hampton for ministering to our mother and us, the friends who came by to see mom, and the many who reached out to check on her. We are so grateful for each of you.

Services will be at Spry Funeral Home, Thursday, September 19, 2019. Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 PM, with a service beginning at 6:00 PM.

She will be interned at Valhalla Cemetery next to her son Greg. There will be a family only graveside service.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital or Father Flanigan's Boys Town.

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