John Clifford Byrnes

Mr. John Clifford Byrnes, age 84, of E. McCarty St. in Sandersville, died Saturday, May 21, 2011 at his residence following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church in Sandersville with burial in the Washington County Memorial Gardens. Rev. Lee Lacey, Rev. Danny Thomas and Rev. Phil Bray will officiate. Pallbearers will be Wayne Pulliam, Randy Lamb, Rusty Lamb, Ronnie Sweat, Brent Watkins, Barry Watkins, Freddie Cullens, Troy Sweat, Bob Childre, Billy Helton, Chuck Byrnes and David Pulliam.

Mr. Byrnes was born in Washington County the son of the late John Patrick Byrnes and the late Jessie Pearl Pilcher Byrnes. He was retired from Thiele Kaolin as Plant Superintendent after 40 years of service. Mr. Byrnes operated a hay business in retirement as well as raising horses, his lifelong pastime. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sandersville and was a US Navy Veteran of WWII. Mr. Byrnes is predeceased by his son Michael.

Survivors are his wife of 64 years, Martha Watkins Byrnes, daughters Adele Byrnes and Janet Byrnes Marshall (Robert), grandchildren, John Robert Marshall and Christopher David Marshall, his brother, Raymond Byrnes (Helga) all of Sandersville and sisters Billie Sweat of Sandersville and Lillian Lamb (Louis) of Augusta.

The family will be at the Byrnes residence, 925 E. McCarty St. in Sandersville and will receive friends on Monday from 5 to 7pm at the May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Association, P.O. Box 632, Sandersville, GA. 31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com