It takes someone special to chronicle the history of a community. Preserving the bits and pieces of the past requires significant time and dedication. Steve Bramlett was one of those committed volunteers. His untimely death April 22 leaves a gap in the community that will be difficult to fill. He died at the place he loved, the East Point Historical Society.
Steve began pursuing his love of local history by researching local cemeteries. He helped descendants locate long-hidden graveyards where their ancestors are buried. But the Historical Society became his life’s mission.
Steve loved the work, spending long hours at the Historical Society center organizing and cataloging materials and preparing numerous exhibits. A technology geek, he worked diligently to bring the center’s archaic record keeping into this century. He delighted in finding new material that could shine a light on a forgotten moment in the area’s past. Steve collaborated with other volunteers from Hapeville and College Park to share information and expand the center’s resources. For those seeking historical information on their homes or ancestors, Steve aided in making the center’s resources available.
The Historical Society was once known as being a stagnant organization, and Steve sought to change that reputation. The exhibits became more engaging, and the board and the center’s resources now better reflect the area’s diversity.
The center often is used for community meetings. Steve worked to open the facility’s doors to local neighborhood associations. After an initial visit to attend a meeting, he found people returned to do research and then became supporters of the center.
Steve’s greatest fear was for the facility itself. Local politicians coveted its highly visible location in East Point’s Spring Park. Steve made supporters aware of periodic efforts by the city of East Point to terminate its lease with the facility. He notified key people in the community to create a network of volunteers that would work behind the scenes or go before the council to protect the facility. Though the threat resurfaces periodically, for now the center is not going to be moved to some hidden location or worse, to fade away altogether.
The shock of Steve Bramlett’s sudden death can be readily seen in people’s faces as they learn the news. It was thought he would always be a presence at the East Point Historical Society. The center will seem empty without him, but the new, strong board will be working to expand its resources and promote it.
Steve seemed a tortured soul, and he could be difficult to work with, but no one ever questioned his dedication. He also helped care for his elderly mother, Adele McPherson, and she is grieving the loss of her only child. Thank Steve for the work he did by supporting his mother and by contributing to the East Point Historical Society. That would have made him happy.
It is a rare individual who makes a difference in his community. Steve Bramlett was one of those few.
Teresa Nelson lives in East Point. Reach her at neely404@betllsouth.net.
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