Anita Brooks Denney, 89, died peacefully at her Sky Valley, Georgia home on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Hampton Sterlyn Denney, and her parents Thelma and Cecil Brooks. 

Affectionately known as Nita, she was born and raised in the Lakewood Heights area of Atlanta. She was a graduate of Fulton High School, Class of 1953 and attended Auburn University where she was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. She reconnected with Sterlyn Denney at the Lakewood swimming pool one summer and they married in June 1956 at Lakewood First Baptist Church.

Together, they raised three daughters in Morrow, Georgia. In 1978 they moved with their youngest to the West Coast settling in Irvine, California when Sterlyn, a former Delta Air Lines employee, started his aviation company. Anita gave up her real estate license to join the business. When their first granddaughter was born in 1991, she and Sterlyn moved back to Georgia, making Marietta their home and into their new role as doting grandparents.

Anita was known for her kindness, compassion, unstoppable energy, and sense of adventure. She loved life with family and friends. She traveled the world, played golf, and learned to ski and paint later in life. She cheered on her Braves and War Eagles. She was a fantastic cook, loved wine, and laughed often. She loved her three granddaughters fiercely. And she took much joy in the lives of others.

Anita is survived by her daughters Lisa Dempster and husband Hazen of Atlanta; Sharon Lobel and husband Robert of Albany, NY; Shan Willoughby and husband Chris of Chamblee, GA; granddaughters Sarah Dempster of Atlanta; Katie Valdés and husband Nic of Charlotte, NC; Amy Dempster of Atlanta; sister-in-law Sandra Clements and husband Jerry of Tucker, GA; niece Pamela Harrison and husband Bob of Marietta, GA; nephew Michael Humphrey and wife Veronica of Cleveland, GA; and her Shih Tzu Sam, who was her constant companion. Her service will be held on Tuesday, July 30th at 1 pm in the Kellett Chapel at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Rd., NW Atlanta.  Internment at Georgia National Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate in her memory to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (foodbanknega.org) or to FAITH (faith-inc.org).

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Anita Brooks Denney. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.