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Delores Miller Gallego, 76, of Georgia, passed away in peace on Tues., Oct. 3, 2023.

She was born April 10, 1947, in Atmore to the late Mr. Shirley and Deliah (Bailey) Miller.

Delores graduated high school in Flomaton, and later became a Georgia resident beginning her business career. She worked at Addressograph-Multigraph Group before moving to Robinson Humphrey, and then on to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, working in government affairs. In 1977, Delores began her career at Delta Air Lines in the public relations department, working on the employee magazine, Delta Digest.

Eventually she worked in the Delta reservations department in Georgia and for a time in Memphis, Tenn. In 1983, Delores returned to Georgia, continuing her work with Delta reservations. She transferred in 1988 to Delta’s Department of Public Affairs (later known as, government affairs). During this time, Delores worked tirelessly to secure Delta sponsorship for eight national political party conventions, from 1988-2000. Delta Air Lines was named the official airline for all of these nationally sponsored conventions as a result of her leadership. Delores’ prolific corporate career in government affairs spanned from representative to staff manager, regional manager and retiring as regional director.

Supporting the greater Atlanta community and Delta Air Lines, Delores served for years on the Georgia Chamber Government Affairs Committee. She also held a seat for many years on the board of directors for the Clayton chamber. It is worth noting that in 2002 her challenging work was recognized with the highest distinction for women with the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Award. Also, her lobbyist peers selected Delores for the Golden Pigeon Award at its annual banquet in 2006 for her exemplary legislative session work.

For over 35 years Delores lobbied for Delta Air Lines. Many think of her as the most respected female lobbyist at the Georgia State Capitol, serving under seven honorable governors of the great state of Georgia: George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller, Roy Barnes, Sonney Perdue, Nathan Deal and Brian Kemp.

During national conventions, Delores worked with many nominees from different political parties and created lasting friendships as candidates were elected by their party, and subsequently by American voters. Forging these connections for Delta Air Lines, before and after elections, allowed for a seamless and continued relationship, as many presidential staff would call upon her and Delta’s government affairs to assist them with imminent travel needs. Receiving invitations to inaugural events in Washington, D.C., annual White House ornaments, handwritten notes, letters and signed copies of books and memoirs, from some of our country’s most prominent officials, were just a few tangible, yet momentous highlights of her singular dedication to her career.

Upon her retirement from Delta Airlines in 2012, Delores became a managing partner with the Bevis and Gallego Government Affairs LLC for 11 years. The firm provided governmental affairs support for Delta and numerous major Georgia corporations.

Delores also managed to be the quintessential mother to her daughters and her family.

Her colorful life was accented with beloved holidays and vacations with her family and trips to the beach. At home you could find her gardening, cultivating her own little Audubon sanctuary. Delores was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed sitting quietly on her patio listening and awaiting the appearance of her hummingbirds, chippers and squirrels.

Delores was preceded in death by her brother, Raybon; sister in law, Sally Miller; and their daughter, Donna Miller.

Delores is survived by her daughter, Angel Odom Vance; son in law, Kevin; her daughter, Danielle; granddaughter, Bella; her brother, Terry Miller of Jonesboro, Ga.; nieces, nephews, many friends and colleagues.

The family asks to please consider donations to the American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345) dedicated in memory of Delores.