Berrien County GaArchives Obituaries.....Sirmans, Willam Burns June 21, 2009
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Shirley McMillan Durden http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006039 February 19, 2013, 8:18 pm

The Berrien Press - July 1, 2009
 William Burns Sirmans, 66, of Ray City, Ga., passed away on June 21, 2009 at 
his residence. Born in Cook County on Feb. 20, 1943, to the late Mary Lou 
Knight and F. Burns Sirmans, he fondly grew up in Berrien Co. in the cities of 
Ray City and Nashville. He attended Norman Park College and spent summers as a 
college staff member at Eastover Resort in Lenox, Mass. In Valdosta, he worked 
with Prudential Insurance Co. before joining the Georgia Department of Labor as 
a specialist in 1996. Known by many acquaintances and friends for his 
charismatic and devoted assistance, he focused on recruiting industry to the 
Valdosta area and supporting a healthy employment market. Serving as a robust 
volunteer in the community, he was legendary for his support for Moody Air 
Force Base and his roles on the Military Affairs Committees for the Valdosta-
Lowndes County and Berrien County Chambers of Commerce. For more than 20 years, 
he hosted a biannual Moody Support Dinner for the base's administration and 
leadership. In addition, he fervently engaged political leaders and spearheaded 
philanthropic efforts for military families. As a devoted member of Park Avenue 
United Methodist Church in Valdosta for over 40 years, he served in numerous 
lay leadership roles. He was active in Ray City United Methodist Church events, 
was a member of the Chambers' Military Affairs Committee, a former Jaycee and 
Lion's Club member and an honorary member of the Nashville Rotary. He credits 
fellow church members who serve in the medical profession as those who saved 
his life in 2000 and allowed him to continue serving as a disciple of Christ. 
He wholeheartedly acknowledged his fondness and confidence in his medical team 
at Emory Healthcare for their care and friendship. He is survived by his wife 
of 40 years, Sandra Griffin Sirmans; his two daughters, Jill Bateman and her 
husband, John of Athens; Leigh Adams and her husband, Jim of Macon; and his 
granddaughter, Ellen Kathryn Adams. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, 
Hazel Hutchinson Griffin and cousins, Ralph Bradham and Joe Featherstone. A 
worship service is planned for Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Park Avenue 
United Methodist Church, Valdosta with burial following at New Ramah Cemetery 
in Ray City. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Wednesday from 
6-8 p.m. in the sanctuary at Park Avenue United Methodist Church. Officiating 
the services will be the Rev. William Dupree, the Rev. V. L. Daughtery, the 
Rev. Willie Beasley and the Rev. Wayne Mitchell. - Carson McLane Funeral Home 
was in charge of arrangements.



File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/berrien/obits/s/sirmans2906nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/

File size: 3.2 Kb