2019. Don Brakebill, born October, 1931, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, June 9th, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Haynes Brakebill and Myrtle Ingle Brakebill.

Don was a leader in our local music community contributing to many lives through his teachings. He was reared on a farm in Rockford where he developed a love for horses, tractors, the Little River and the land.  His love of music, with a focus on the voice, provided opportunities throughout his life that would be honored for years to come. Don received his BA in Music at Maryville College and a Master's degree in voice and conducting at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He served as choir director at First Baptist Church in Maryville, Trinity Methodist Church in Knoxville and New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville.  He served as a Cantor at Temple Beth El in Knoxville for several years.

Don taught vocal music in the Alcoa school system and also organized the Chilhowee Singers, which he directed for 3 years. Throughout his professional career, Don also performed as a soloist in Oratorio and Opera performances at the University of Tennessee, Maryville College and Knoxville Opera while maintaining a full-time roster of private voice training.

As a musician, Don had an unwavering belief that everyone could sing, whether they believed it or not. He taught every student with a unique approach suited best to his or her temperament and level of skill, drawing upon his knack for creating analogies related to his own upbringing on his farm in Rockford. Fence posts, birds landing on power lines, and a running favorite, "it's like singing in a silo"... embedded in all of these images were valuable insights on how to sing, and his joy in expressing them was contagious. It was this mixture of refined Princeton education and simple Rockford wisdom that distinguished Don as a truly unique and gifted voice teacher and choir director.

He had many hobbies including woodworking in his later years, but never stopped singing and spending time on the farm. He had a legendary sense of humor and love of people, but also never had a bad meal. He loved good food and was always gracious and complimentary both of every meal as well as to whomever had prepared it whether it be a simple sandwich or a holiday feast, especially if followed by dessert.

Don is survived by his wife of 37 years, Charlotte Barker Brakebill, son Greg Brakebill (Linda), daughter Traci Topham (Tim), step-son Michael Kull and step daughter Christine Vossler (Christian). He enjoyed his grandchildren Emily Sweetland (David), Drew Brakebill (Miranda), Sydney Topham and enjoyed a special relationship with his last grandchild, Bailey Cummings.  Don also had 3 great-grandchildren, Dawson and Ella Sweetland and Gracie Sue Brakebill.

Special thanks to the entire staff at Brookdale Memory Care, Sandy Springs facility, for their wonderful care and community they provided for our family.

We will honor Don's life on Tuesday, June 18th at First United Methodist Church, Maryville with receiving of friends at 4 p.m. and service at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in his honor to the Alzheimer's Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home, Maryville (865) 982-6041, www.millerfuneralhome.org