He was born in Cherokee County, N.C., to the late Joseph Burton and Lucy Simonds McBrayer.
He retired in 1981 from the Tennessee Copper Co., where he worked as a labor foreman.
He was a 50-year member and past master of the Ducktown Masonic Lodge No. 241, a member of Farner Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder of the church, and he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Maggie Josephine Farmer McBrayer, whom he married in 1946 and cherished until her death in 2003.
He is survived by children: Joyce Blackmon of Turtletown, Blanche (Steve) Coleman of Grape Creek, N.C., J.B. (Audra) McBrayer of Cleveland, Brenda (Greg) Ellis of Cleveland and Bruce McBrayer of Farner; sister, Geneva Roberts of Farner; grandchildren: Denise Cornett, Stephanie Worley, Jill Hamby, Michelle Murray, Julie Verner, Jason McBrayer and Sarah Smith; great-grandchildren: Kristen Cornett, Preston Cornett, Madison Worley, Jaylan Hamby, Jonah Hamby, Ashley Hackler, Phillip Keith Hackler, Corey Stillwell, Jackson McBrayer, Madelyn McBrayer and Ethan Newman; special friends: Don and Brenda Reynolds, Cole and Peggy Givannoni and Janice Reid.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2012, from Farner Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Wayne Carter officiating.
The body will lie in repose at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the funeral hour.
Music will be by Janice Reid and Dennis Wilcox.
Pallbearers include Junior Wilcox, Leroy Taylor, Billy Ray Ledford, Ray Dean, Greg Dean, Bud Ferrell, Mark Reid and J.M. Verner. Honorary pallbearers include Ernest Wilcox, Billy Joe Roberts, Dan Underwood, Jimmy Payne, Bill Stiles, Sam Murray and members of the Ducktown Lodge No. 241.
Interment will follow in the Farner Presbyterian Cemetery with military honors conducted by the North Georgia Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Farner Presbyterian Cemetery Fund, 138 Underwood Drive, Farner TN 37333.
The family will receive friends this evening from 6 to 9 at the Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill.
Condolences to the family may be sent to www.akinsfuneralhome.com.
