After Needham died in 1982, Brunell was able to attend First Baptist Church in Kingsland regularly and was one of their most respected and beloved members.  Whenever the preacher asked for a testimony at Wednesday evening prayer meeting, Brunell would stand and express her love for God and her gratitude for her family.  She had many dear friends in her Sunday School Class including Marie McCullough, Annis McCullough, Leona Brown, Grace Jones, and Janie Mills.  On Mother's Day Brunell always won the prize for being the oldest mother in attendance, but she was a little annoyed that Janie Mills, who was actually older than she, never came to church on Mother's Day.

Brunell was able to travel a little, eat out a lot, and enjoy many new experiences in her later years.  Her children and grandchildren tried to make her life comfortable and pleasant and were always available to help with repairs around the house and transportation to the doctor.  She was almost child-like in her enjoyment of life and was always ready to try new things.  Since some of her children were avid supporters of the Georgia Bulldog football team, she began to watch them on television and became a dedicated fan also.  She was able to attend the Georgia - Florida foot ball game in Jacksonville and the Georgia - Auburn game in Athens in 1987. 

In the fall of 1989 she was looking forward to attending the Georgia - Florida game again, when her heart began to fail.  She died at St. Vincents Hospital in Jacksonville on November 18, 1989.  The memory of her love and faith will be with her family always.