Mary E. Rayburn

Elizabeth Portier Rayburn, 87, of Brunswick, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at her residence. Funeral services will be held 11AM Friday, April 29, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Brunswick with Dr. Peter Vivenzio and Rev. Jimmy Crandall officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her nephews Billy Bennett, Walter Portier, Danny Portier, Louie Lovett, Mike Rayburn, Shane Portier, Damon “Buddy” Portier, and Jeff Rayburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Grace & Glory Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church of Brunswick, Terry Carter, Mike Boatright, David Lewis, WB Lewis and Mike Fairman.

Mrs. Rayburn was born May 23, 1923 in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late William Walter and Nancy Whitley Portier. She was a wonderful wife and mother and was a staff member at Glynn Academy for 23 years. “Lib”, as she was known by friends and family, was a former member of the Junior Woman’s Club, and a member of the Urbana Garden Club, Brunswick Exchangettes, and served as a Pink Lady at SGHS Brunswick Campus. Mrs. Rayburn was a member of First Baptist Church of Brunswick, where she was a nursery worker for many years and was a member of Grace and Glory Sunday School Class. She had been a resident of Glynn County for over 57 years and enjoyed gardening, bird watching, baking and decorating wedding cakes and was a wonderful cook. Being the oldest of 10 children, she enjoyed being the matriarch of family and caregiver to those in need. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by an infant son, William Elwood Rayburn, Jr., and four brothers, Shaw Portier, Harry Portier, Jimmy Portier and Johnny Portier.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years, William E. “Bill” Rayburn of Brunswick, two sons, Wayne Rayburn and wife Carolyn of Lilburn, and Don Rayburn of Brunswick, one daughter, Patricia Rountree and husband Larry of Brunswick, two grandchildren, Stuart Rayburn, of Augusta, and Katherine Lloyd and husband Brad of Cumming, four great grandchildren, Ansley Lloyd, Connor Lloyd, Will Rayburn, and John Banks Rayburn, two brothers, Damon Portier of Atlanta, and Joe Portier of Ocilla, three sisters, Annie George Sermons of Ocilla, Joan Bennett of Smyrna, and Jeanie Ellis Brady of Merritt Island, FL.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Southeast Georgia Health System, Dr. Antonio Moran & staff, Hartland Hospice, Coastal Nurse Care and Linda Powell for their loving and attentive care during her extended illness.

The family will receive friends Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 6PM until 8PM at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or The American Cancer Society.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com