BIRMINGHAM Bonnie Dale Harper Brown was born August 16, 1942. She passed away on Monday April 20, 2009, in Birmingham. Visitation will be 4 p.m. Thursday at Jennings Chapel United Methodist Church in Northport with a memorial service following at 5 p.m.Dale was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Turner Harper, and her mother, Johnnie Frances Jones Harper.Survivors include sons, Brandon Brown (Veronica) and Brooks Brown (Andi); sisters, Melody Harper Motes and Jo Strickland (Walter); four grandchildren, Brooklyn, Emile, Maggie and Gabriella Brown. Dale is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.In her early years, Dale was raised on the family farm in Northport, Alabama where she loved to explore different aspects of nature while working and learning alongside her father, Joe. After starting school at Northport Elementary School, Dale became interested in performing in school plays and pageants. By the time she entered Tuscaloosa County High School (TCHS) she was ready to take on the challenge of being a County High Wildcat Majorette. She seemed to really excel when using her fire baton. It was a spectacular performance. She also played the flute in the TCHS band.After high school, Dale went to the University of Alabama where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. She worked in her field for a couple of years then she returned to get her Masters Degree in Social Work, but this time she attended the University of Tennessee.Upon completion of her studies she moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she worked for the State of Georgia Crippled Children Services.In 1970 she married Lee Brown, moved back to Northport and they had two sons, Brandon and Brooks.After having her sons, Dale decided she wanted a career with more flexible hours to enable her to spend more time with her family. She chose real estate and it was a good choice. For her first few years, she worked for a couple of real estate companies. Later, it all paid off because she was fortunate enough to open and become broker of her own real estate company, A1 Properties Real Estate. During her career in real estate, she received many awards and recognition for all her accomplishments.Dale will be missed by so very many people who knew her. Dale always loved to laugh especially if she was playing a practical joke on you. She loved playing with children especially with her nieces, Mandy and Lauren, because she said she was always around boys and it was fun to play girly games instead of playing with cars and trucks.In her younger days, Dale was a great water skier and an incredible dancer. If Dancing with the Stars were held back in the '60s, she would have won hands down.Her bright shining spirit may have been dimmed here on earth but her light in heaven is shining like the brightest star.Honorary pallbearers are Dorothy Cain Thomas, Nadine Cain, Ray Smith, Dona Nickerson, Sandra and Al Ignatonis, Bill and Nina Jones, and Charlotte White.Special thanks to Amy Donaldson, a beloved caregiver.