James Ronald Haynes, Sr.

September 7, 1926 - September 22, 2018

Mr. James R. Haynes, Sr., age 92 of Conyers, was born September 7, 1926 in Royston, GA to the late David Mathis Haynes and Bertie Mae McGarity Haynes and went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 22, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 7 sisters and his beloved wife of 55 years, Mary Isabelle 'Mitzi' Higginbotham. He is survived by his children, James R. Haynes, Jr. (Ronnie) and his wife, Debbie of Lawrenceville, Joseph Sterling Haynes (Bo) and his wife, Betsy of Hayesville, NC, Richard Michael Haynes (Ricky) and his wife, Jennifer of Rutledge, Teresa Haynes Denson (Terri) and her husband, Bruce of Conyers. He is also survived by grandchildren, James R. Haynes, III (Little Ronnie), Kevin Giles Haynes, Kelly Haynes Waldo, Jason Eric Haynes, Casey Mathis Haynes, Michael Chadwick Haynes (Chad), Chelsea Denson McCreary, Mary Cameron Huff (Cam); 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; and wife, Hester Cope of Toccoa. James and Mitzi spent most of their time together living in Decatur, Georgia, majority of which was in the community of Churchill Downs. They spent many wonderful years with both family and friends in this community before relocating to Conyers. James was a colorful character who loved his family and friends. He was a die-hard fan of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He loved to spend time at the lake and always loved his pet dogs and cats. James was a veteran of the US Army during World War II in the European Theater. He was an officer of the Glenwood Jaycees and a treasurer for the Georgia Jaycees. He was a graduate of Boys High in Atlanta and attended the University of Georgia Atlanta Division which is now Georgia State. He helped to organize the Mt. Carmel Midget Panthers Football which went on to become Glenwood Hills Panthers Football League. He was involved in the early years of Glenwood Hills Little League Baseball and was a founding member of Longdale Little League Baseball. He was a member of the Kirkwood Boys Club. He worked many years in the family business at Higginbotham Furniture Store and also worked as a comptroller for TOMCO Equipment Company. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Scot Ward's Green Meadow Chapel with Dr. Jim Martin and Father Tripp Norris officiating; interment will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends Wednesday, September 26, 2018 from 7 until 9 p.m. and Thursday from 10 until 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. His beautiful blue eyes, sly grin and dry sense of humor will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to PAWS Atlanta, a no kill animal shelter and pet rescue www.pawsatlanta.org. Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Rd., Conyers, GA, 770-483-7216.