John B McBrayer, age 98, formerly of Chamblee Rd., Oakwood, passed away Monday May 9, 2011, at The Resting Nest, Gainesville, following an extended illness.
Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home with interment to follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. Rev. Bill Long will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the funeral hour.
Mr. McBrayer was born, June 23, 1912 in Forsyth County. He was the son of the late John Raymond and Estee Henderson McBrayer. At the age of 3, after the death of his mother, he and his two sisters moved to Hall County to live with their grandparents, Thomas J. and Janie Henderson on their farm in South Hall County where they were raised.
He grew up attending Zion Hill Baptist Church, joined the church and was baptized in 1927 and remained a member until 1939. He then joined Oakwood Baptist Church, became very active and while there helped with the rebuilding of the church in 1956. In 1965 he and his wife joined The Blackshear Place Baptist Church where he was Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Chairman of the Building Committee and Chairman of the Trustees over 30 years. He was also instrumental in organizing "Young at Heart", the senior adult ministry at the Blackshear Place.
He attended Oakwood Schools. Married Edith Wallace in 1932 and in 1948 Purchased Edith's home place at Chamblee/McBrayer Road, Oakwood, from her father where they made it their home until 2008 when John B. had to move into a Personal Care Home. That marriage lasted 74 years until Edith's death in 2006.
Mr. McBrayer went to work at Chicopee Mfg. Co. in 1933. He was inducted into the army in 1942 and served for thirty-six months. When he returned after World War II, he went back to work at Chicopee and remained there until his retirement in 1974.
His Civic Duties included Justice of the Peace for Oakwood Militia District for 24 years and Oakwood Voting Precinct Captain more than 30 years.
Mr. McBrayer was a generous man, always helping to make life a little easier for many people. He helped care for the elderly, helping support many young people in mission. He contributed generously to the three churches that influenced his life. John was a man of wisdom, honesty and integrity. His God, his family, his church and friends, his work in the mill, working in his garden and growing vegetables fulfilled his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edith Wallace McBrayer; sisters, Katie Irene Bedingfield and Melrose Martin; nieces Marguerite J. Reed and Leah Rae M. Ball.
He is survived by caregivers Janet J. Haynes of Gainesville, niece and Jimmy Wallace, nephew of Gainesville. Other nieces that survive are Sara Presley and Shirley Hicks of Gainesville, Becky Martin and Janet Wallace of Gainesville, Vicki Blandford, of Atlanta; nephews, Robert L. Martin of Raleigh, N.C., Phil Wallace of Jacksonville, Florida and other family and friends. Mr. McBrayer is also survived by special friends, Montie and Janelle Robinson family.
The family would like to say a special thank you to The Resting Nest and Staff. Especially, thank you to Lisa Dishman and her family for all their love and care to their uncle and to the staff at Compassionate Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to be made to a charity of one's choice.
Those wishing to make online condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home 355 Dawsonville Hwy Gainesville, GA is in charge of arrangements
