Ray Lauren “Johnny” Bearden
April 22, 1940 – December 22, 2022

Funeral services for Ray Lauren “Johnny” Bearden, 82, of Cairo, GA, are at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the First Baptist Church, Cairo, GA.  Rev. Chris Allen will officiate.  Services will conclude at the church.  Private interment will be in the Cairo Cemetery, Cairo, GA.  Mr. Bearden passed away at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in Tallahassee, FL, on Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Bearden, Randy Bearden, Tim Henderson, Chris Henderson, Billy Henderson, Bubba Bearden, Kim Bearden and Keith Bearden.

Mr. Bearden was born on April 22, 1940, in Shelbyville, TN, to the late Crawford Berry Bearden and Mary Trollinger Bearden.  He was a graduate of Young Harris College.  On June 2, 1963, he married Twila Webb Bearden, who survives.  They were married for over 59 years.  He was the sales manager for Stalling Motors in Cairo.  He was a member of First Baptist Church in Cairo.

Johnny loved fishing, playing guitar, and camping in the RV.  He enjoyed anything with a motor: cars, boats, planes, motorcycles and especially his GMC truck.  He was known for the wonderful tomatoes he grew in his garden.  He was preceded in death by Shadow, loyal canine companion of 19 years.

Survivors include: his wife, Twila Bearden of Cairo, GA; children, Robin Gibson (Dan) of Granville, OH, Michael Lauren Bearden (Lauren) of Boston, GA; three grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann Henderson of Dalton, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and eight older brothers.

Memorials may be made in Mr. Bearden’s memory to: Best Friends Dog Rescue and Boarding,  http://www.bestfriendsdogrescue.net/

The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church immediately following the funeral service.