Mr. John Byron Whitmire, 78, of 1588 Eagle Grove School Rd, Bowman, GA, died Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at Cobb Memorial Hospital, Royston.

Born April 15, 1931 in Elberton County, GA, he was the son of the late John Webster and Tishie Vickery Whitmire.He was a retired farmer and was a long-time member of Bowman Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and held several different positions of leadership.He served as Chairman from 1976 – 1980 on the Hart County Board of Finance.He was a Mason in the Primrose Lodge #77 in Bowman, GA.

He is survived by:Wife, Marlene Fleming Whitmire; Sons, Tommy Whitmire and his wife Robbie of Hartwell, GA, Ronny Whitmire and his wife Marianne of Elberton, GA and John Whitmire and his wife Sherrie of Hartwell, GA; he had five grandchildren, Chris, Chad, Wendy, Kelly and Wes; and five great grandchildren, Lindsay, Olivia, Landon, Annaleigh, and Lacie.He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Nina Whitmire Burden and one grandson Brad.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell.Rev. Rob Spivey and Rev. David Wilson will officiate.Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bowman.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home ~ Hartwell Chapel where the family will receive friends Friday night from 7 ~ 9 p.m. The family is at the home. Flowers optional; Memorials may be made to the Bowman Baptist Church, 66 W. Church Street, Bowman, GA30624.