June 10, 2016

Peggy Joyce Bryars

Peggy Joyce Bryars, 71, went to sleep in death Saturday (June 4, 2016) surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 11, 1945 in her family home in Dale County Ala. She was the only daughter of Myron and Vanera Hagler.

At the age of 13, she dedicated herself to her God, her Father and friend, Jehovah, and continued to serve Him faithfully throughout her life.

She married the love of her life, Mark, in 1963. They had 52 ½ amazing years together. They raised four children together after moving to Waycross from Pensacola, Fla.

She cared for her husband, her home and her children with diligence and love all her days. She loved to make fresh baked bread, entertain guests and make others feel welcome. She was known as the “hostess with the mostest.”

There was nothing she loved more than working in her beautiful flower garden. Many would say she had two green thumbs and would drive by her home to admire her yard. She enjoyed taking others on tours of her “babies” and gifting plants to loved ones and strangers alike.

Her memory will be cherished by her loving husband, Mark, and her four children, Kelle, Jud, Rachel (husband Daniel) and Yancy (wife Yahaira), all of Waycross. She will also be loved and missed by her four grandchildren, Brianna, Jaden, Caleb and Riley; her great-aunt Hazel, of Ozark, Ala.; and more friends and family than can be counted.

Mark and Peggy prayed and read the Bible together every day of their married life. As a result, they both shared a strong faith in God’s promises. A favorite scripture is Romans 14: 7-9 which assures us that “if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah. For to this end Christ died and came to life again, so that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.” (NWT)

Peggy had strong faith in Jesus’ promise at John 5:25-29, “the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his (Jesus) voice. And shall come forth.” (KJV) Her hope was to be resurrected to a paradise earth where she would enjoy everlasting life, in perfect health with Mark, her family and faithful friends.

Many times, with her children and in her public ministry, she shared Jesus’ words found in Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Coastal Pines Technical College auditorium, 1701 Carswell Ave.

The family will receive friends Saturday at the Coastal Pines Technical College auditorium beginning at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses or online at JW.ORG.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com

Grant Blake Barnes

BLACKSHEAR — Grant Blake Barnes, 50, of Blackshear, left this life and entered eternity to be with Jesus Wednesday (June 8, 2016) at his home.

He was born in Waycross and lived most of his life in Ware County before moving to Blackshear in 1992.

He graduated from Ware County High School and attended Waycross Junior College and Valdosta State University, majoring in art.

After college, he worked as a mobile home salesman for the majority of his adult life. Most recently, he had worked in security at Progress Rail.

As a gifted artist, he created and sold artwork for many years and sang at numerous events throughout the community. He loved his church, Abundant Life, enjoyed golf and tennis, and he had a great sense of humor and a tender heart.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Collins Barnes, and a nephew, Kirk Ashton Barnes.

He is survived by one son who was the pride and joy of his life, Christian Luke Barnes, of Texas; his mother, Doris Barnes, of Blackshear; one sister, Angela Hodges (Danny), of Blackshear; three brothers, Lee Barnes (Cathy), Hahira, Craig Barnes (Kelly), Hahira, Adam Barnes (Pug), St Mary’s; 14 nieces and nephews, Brooke Rentz (Jamey), Joshua Hodges, Jared Barnes (Hannah), Hosanna Hodges, Caleb Barnes (Alyssa), Jesse Barnes (Ariel), Caroline Barnes, Abigail Barnes, Rhett Barnes, Drew Barnes, Judah Hodges, Gracie Barnes, Faith Barnes, Josiah Hodges; numerous other relatives; and one life-long faithful friend, Luther Rouse (Paula), of Waycross.

Visitation will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Pearson-Dial Funeral Home in Blackshear followed by a celebration of life service at 2 in the chapel.

Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abundant Life Church, 905 Main Street, Blackshear, Ga. 31516 or to Gideons International at www.gideons.org.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Ann Mosser

Rebecca Ann Mosser, 56, died Thursday (June 9, 2016) at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waycross

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Music Funeral Home.

Jimmy ‘J.J.’ Simmons

Jimmy “J.J.” Simmons, 70, died Thursday morning (June 9, 2016) at his residence after an extended illness.

He was born in Homerville to the late R.T. Simmons and Matilda Sweat Burney.

He retired from Clay Electric after 10 years as a right-of-way inspector. He was previously employed as a tree surgeon for 17 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Raymond Lee Simmons, Martha Sue Simmons and Judy Elaine Simmons.

Survivors include two children, Alvin Simmons (Belle), of California, and JemmiLynn Wasdin, of Waycross; 7 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four siblings, Mary Ann Dell, of Waycross, Aline Johns, of Nicholls, Robert Simmons (Jesse), of Callahan, Fla., Gloria Oliver, of Waycross; three half-brothers and one half-sister; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in New Prospect Cemetery in Manor.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com

Richard D. Batten Sr.

Richard Dennis Batten Sr., 50, of Waycross, passed away Tuesday afternoon (June 7, 2016) at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waycross following a lengthy illness.

Born in Blackshear on Aug. 10, 1965, he had lived in Pierce County for many years before moving to Waycross two years ago.

He had worked as a mechanic for a number of years before becoming disabled. He also worked on and sold appliances earlier in his career.

He loved to help people and was famous for making them laugh. He enjoyed car shows and playing golf and was of the Baptist faith. He was an amazing father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was a son of the late Robert Batten and Bashie Elois Batten Lee. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Diane Crosby.

Survivors include his three children, Ashley Batten (Daniel Hiott), of Waycross, Chelsea and Phillip Harden, of Santa Claus, Richard Dennis “Ricky” Batten Jr. (Courtney Downs), of Blackshear; a sister, Marie Crawford (Jasper), of Blackshear; two brothers, David Batten (Robin), of Hickox, Daniel Batten, of Blackshear; a brother-in-law, Richard Crosby, of Blackshear; three grandchildren, Trenton Hiott, Natalie Hiott, Addisyn Harden; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon at Youmans Chapel Baptist Church.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home, Inc., of Blackshear, is in charge of the arrangements.