Barry Leon Sears, age 68, of Conyers, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, March 22, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Leon and Leila Virginia (Rutledge) Sears; and twin brother; Larry Manuel Sears, all of Covington.
Mr. Sears graduated from Social Circle High School, June 2, 1970. He was employed with C&D Technologies for 30 years and was with ESG Operations, Inc., for 19 years. In 2016, he received the Ten Years of Service Award with Grateful Appreciation for Dedication and Commitment to Excellence, Exceptional Performance, Devoted Service and a Willingness to Go "Above and Beyond". Over the years, he received several certifications by the Georgia State Board of Examiners for his Wastewater Operator License.
Mr. Sears met his wife, Connie, in 1990, at Living Waters Baptist Church. They began singing together and were married August 18, 1990, at Walnut Grove Baptist Church. They continued as a duo until 2002, at which time the Gospel Way Singers became a group which featured Barry, guitar and vocals; Connie, vocals; Rev. James and Sue Massey, vocals; Patty (Crisler) Whitfield, keyboard and vocals. Just down the road a few years later, Bro. Edgar Lloyd joined the group playing the bass and Frances Lloyd joined as the sound person. Through the years traveling and singing for the Lord, they were asked to sing at several churches, benefits, auctions, homecomings, old-fashioned day services - whatever and wherever there was a need. Every Friday night for 14 years, he loved going to families' in-home prayer meetings, and every Monday night for 11 years, he went to Westbury Rehab with Bro. Edgar and Frances Lloyd. Through the guidance from the Lord, he was a wonderful and talented guitar player, singer, and songwriter who wrote many songs - one being a Christmas song, "The Best Gift of All". The group was blessed to go into the recording studio several times to record two CD's, one which was completed, and the other in the final stages.
Mr. Sears was a good, honest, thoughtful, caring, soft-spoken, hardworking, and dependable Christian man who loved the Lord with all his heart and soul. He loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends. He loved to travel to the Great Smoky Mountains; Chattanooga, TN; Tybee Island; and Salem, New Hampshire, as well as going to Blairsville to visit with friends. He also went yearly to Hiawassee for the gospel music concerts. In addition, Mr. Sears loved to play a good game of Yahtzee, winning often.
He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years; Connie Faye (Massey) Sears; son, Wayne Sears and fiancée, Melissa League; daughter, Elaine Sears and partner, Jennifer Gable; god-daughter, Shauna Fortner and husband, Chris; grandchildren, Dylan Sears, Hayden Sears, CJ Fortner, Hudson Fortner, Avett James Fortner; mother-in-law, Evelyn Massey; brother-in-law, Jimmy Massey; sister-in-law, Jackie Vestal; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; as well as many co-workers, friends, and church families.
A Private Graveside for Mr. Sears will be held Thursday, April 9, 2020, 2:00 P.M., at Oxford Historical Cemetery, Highway 81, in Oxford.
Due to the current COVID-19, and coronavirus pandemic recommendations, the family regrets that the services must be private, and a public memorial service will be held at a later date.
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