Byron James (Bj) Haire

CLAXTON: Byron James (BJ) Haire, departed this life on October 15, 2019 at home. He was born on September 10, 1937, in Evans County to Byron James Sr. and Sallie Eason Haire. In October 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Matha McCall, and together they had five children.
Byron was a member of Eason Chapel Church where he worshipped and served throughout his lifetime. He served in the Army from December 1961 to December 1962, and was employed by Union Camp Corporation in Savannah for forty years as a forklift mechanic.
Byron was a “people person” and never met a stranger. He especially loved to share stories (and a laugh). Being raised in the Undine community on a farm, he never lost his love of working the land and was most comfortable wearing his overalls, riding the tractor, and tending his cows.
He was a member of the 1954 Claxton Tigers football championship team, a diehard Georgia Tech fan, and a coach for the midget football league for many years. Byron loved the mountains and instilled the love of God’s creation in his wife, children and grandchildren as they spent many vacations there as a family.
Byron will be lovingly missed by his wife of 63 years, Matha; his children, Debra (Wayne) Purcell, Byron (Charlene) Haire, Cindy (Jack) Cox, Teena (Tony) Gilbreth, and Tammy (Scottie) DeLoach; his grandchildren, Lauren Purcell, Katie (Henry) Orton, Zachary Purcell, Alicia (Andrew) Holloway, Whitney (John) Wimbush, Ben (Mary E.) Gilbreth, Sally (David) Purser, Jessica and Rebecca DeLoach; and his great grandchildren, Daisy and Sally Holloway, David and Isaac Gilbreth, and Lillian Purser.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron James, Sr. and Sallie Eason Haire; siblings, Wesley Haire, Edwin (Blue) Haire, Nell Aldrich, Carolyn Waters, and Sue Jordan.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held in the chapel at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home on Thursday, October 17 at 11:00 a.m. with burial at the Eason Family Cemetery.
Remembrances may be sent to: Ogeechee Area Hospice, P. O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459 Eason Chapel Church, c/o Alice Agnew, 601 Frank Sikes Road, Claxton, GA 30417 Tattnall Campground, c/o David Yarbrough, 306 Yarbrough Lane, Claxton, GA 30417
Pallbearers: Ellis Conley, Shane Eason, Ben Gilbreth, Tommy Haire, Wesley Jenkins, and Zachary Purcell
Preachers: Pastor Charles Fiveash and Elder Jimmy Haire


Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
“Our Family Serving Your Family”
“Since 1917”
(912) 739-3338
www.nesmithfuneralhome.com