Dianne Briggs Gallagher

Dianne Briggs Gallagher, age 77, of Cornelia, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2022. 

Born on October 4, 1944, in Stephens County, she was a daughter of the late Wiley Crawford Briggs and Martha Marlene Adams Briggs. Mrs. Gallagher was a lifelong resident of Habersham County and a beloved teacher who retired from South Habersham after 24 years. She was a devoted member of the Habersham Board of Education, where she served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman.  She also served eight years as Curriculum Director in White County and one year in Hall County. Mrs. Gallagher was a member of the Georgia Association of Educators, National Association of Educators, Habersham Association of Educators and the Cornelia Kiwanis Club.  She was inducted into the GA Teachers Hall of Fame in 1991 and was voted the 1993 State Middle School Science Teacher of the Year.  She held degrees from Piedmont College, North Georgia College, and Clemson University. Mrs. Gallagher dedicated her life to education and professed her greatest legacy was devotion to her family and influencing countless lives in a career of over 40 years. 

Mrs. Gallagher was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who cherished time spent with her family, and was known as the “family matron”. In her spare time, she was an avid vegetable and flower gardener who also enjoyed traveling with her husband.  She loved the different seasons of the year, and was sure to set the table with a meal and holiday decor.  

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, James Richard “Rick” Gallagher of Cornelia, son and daughter-in-law, James Richard “Jim” Gallagher, Jr. (Jill) of Clarkesville; daughter and son-in-law, Maria Marrero (Tom) of Johns Creek; grandchildren, Ashley (Mike) Feuvrel, Anna Burroughs, Abby Burroughs, Audrey Marrero, Justin Gallagher, John Luke Gallagher, Jennings Gallagher, and Benjamin Gallagher; great grandchildren, William Feuvrel, Mason Jones, Cooper Jones, Lilliana Feuvrel, Mariana Feuvrel, Nicholas Feuvrel and Christian Feuvrel; great-great grandchild, Natalie Feuvrel; and sister, Eileen Hollowbush of Camphill, Pennsylvania. 

The family will receive friends from 1 – 4 pm on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home. 

A private family memorial service will be held. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Habersham Humane Society, P.O. Box 1442, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523 or [email protected]; or to the Habersham County Academic Booster Club, c/o Habersham Central High School, 2059 State Highway 197 South, Mt. Airy, Georgia 30563. 

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com. 

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.