Jay Sirmans was born April 16, 1864 and lived all of his life in the vicinity of Ray City, GA.
Jay Sirmans was the youngest son of Elizabeth Knight and Hardeman Sirmans, the eighth of their twelve children. His sister Martha Elizabeth Sirmans married Joe S. Clements, who was treasurer at the Clements Sawmill and later served as Mayor of Ray City. His sister Clara Sirmans married Irishman Frank Gallagher and they had a farm east of Ray City. His sister Annie B. Sirmans (1872 – 1963) married John Chilton Matheny; she was later the owner of Ray’s Mill. His sister Valeria Sirmans (1874 – 1961) married James Isaac Lee
On 22 March 1893 Jay Sirmans married Rachel Allifar Smith (born July 30, 1869) a daughter of Mary Jane Smith and John Woods Smith.
Children of Rachel Smith and Jay Sirmans:
- John Hardeman Sirmans, born February 23, 1899 in Georgia; died April 28, 1966 in Berrien County, Georgia
- J B Mitchell Sirmans, born January 19, 1905 in Berrien County, GA; died July 13, 1983 in Lanier County, Georgia; buried Empire Cemetery.
In 1899, Jay Sirmans gained a bit of local attention after his attempt to capture a large alligator for exhibition in the western states.
Obituary of Jay Sirmans
Jay Sirmans died rather unexpectedly at the age of 52.
Tifton Gazette
September 29, 1916 — page 2J. Sirmans, Ray City
Mr. J. Sirmans, a well known resident of Berrien county, living about a mile and a half from Ray City, died at his home Wednesday night at 9 o’clock, says the Valdosta Times.
Mr. Sirmans had been ill for about 10 days but his condition was not thought to be serious. His death came as a great surprise.
Mr. Sirmans is survived by his wife and two sons.
Sirmans was buried at Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA. He was a member of Woodmen of the World, and insurance through the fraternal organization provided a large and distinctive monument to mark his grave.
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