Thomas “Elbert” McBrayer, 89, of Tifton passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2017, at Wayside Baptist Church with the Rev. Josh Campbell officiating. Bobby Brannen will offer a eulogy. Mr. McBrayer will be laid to rest at Pineview Holiness Baptist Church Cemetery next to his wife, who he married on October 10, 1952. Mr. McBrayer died on what would have been their 65th wedding anniversary. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 12, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mr. McBrayer will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Chad Perry, John Brannen, Jamie Vickers, Josh Jones, Kyle Gaskins, Andy Gill, Mark Gill, Steven Williford, Justin Roberson and Carl Tawzer will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Coy Tawzer, Glynn Tawzer, Harold Tawzer, Harmon Tawzer, Donnie Willis and members of the Adult Sunday school class at Wayside Baptist Church.
Born February 4, 1928 in Berrien County, Mr. McBrayer was the son of the late Loomis Ulric “L. U.” McBrayer and Nina Belle Arrington McBrayer. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Carol Tawzer McBrayer, two brothers, Hubert McBrayer and Clyde McBrayer; one sister, Katherine Arnold; and one great-granddaughter, Leslie Anne Perry. Before retiring, he worked at J. P. Stevens as a mechanic (fixer) and was a member of Wayside Baptist Church.
Mr. McBrayer is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Howard L. “Hal” and Teresa McBrayer and Kenny and Karen McBrayer, all of Tifton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Bobby Brannen and Judy and Bobby Perry, all of Tifton; four brothers, Glen McBrayer, Troy McBrayer and Royce McBrayer, all of Tifton and Loyd McBrayer of Douglasville; two sisters, Louise Smith of Cairo and Faye Roberts of Tifton; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Chad and Tara Perry, Brittany Perry and Justin Roberson, Keili and Josh Jones, Kayla and Kyle Gaskins, John Brannen, Melissa and Jamie Vickers, Allie McBrayer and Andrew McBrayer; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Wesley and Caroline Perry, Lexie Lane and Rylee Roberson, Kinsley Jones, Kate Vickers, Sara Vickers, Dawson Vickers, Jamilee Vickers, Kylie Brannen, Emmalee Brannen,, John Kylen Brannen and Addy Grace McBrayer.