Obituaries 08-14-25

JOHN GLENN BAYLESS

April 5, 1962-Aug. 5, 2025

Funeral services for John Glenn Bayless, 63, of Meadville, were 
conducted on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 from Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 
Smithdale, with Brother Brandon Blackwell officiating.

Interment followed at the church cemetery.

Born on April 5, 1962 in Charleston, W.V., he was the son of Garnett 
Bayless and the late Joseph Donald Bayless. He was a 1980 graduate of 
Buffalo High School in Buffalo, W.V., and later earned his degree from 
Copiah-Lincoln Community in Wesson in 1989.

He began his career with Frito-Lay in Jackson before returning to 
Meadville, where he worked as a teaching assistant and bus monitor with 
the Franklin County School District.

John's life was centered around family, faith and service. He adored 
spending time with his family, nieces, nephews and especially his twin 
grandchildren, Ellis and Ellie Shirley, who brought endless joy to his 
life. Affectionately known as "Uncle John," he extended his heart 
and home to many children beyond his own family, always ready with a 
kind word, a funny joke or heartfelt advice — often asking "Do you 
want to hear the high road or the low road?" — but he always chose 
the high road.

He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist hurch and made his public profession 
of faith by getting baptized with his daughter, Jane, in 2012. He 
faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and worked with the youth 
group, sharing his love for Christ and teaching the Gospel.

John loved football and was a proud West Virginia Mountaineers fan. He 
enjoyed music of all kinds and loved to sing along, even if he had to 
make up his own lyrics. Much like his father, he had a passion for 
genealogy — which he shared with his brothers. He was the definition 
of "Mr. Fix-It" and could be called at any moment for help on a 
variety of projects or issues — and you knew he was on his way with a 
smile.

John's life was one of faith, service and love — a legacy that will 
live on in the lives he touched.

He died on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 at Merit Health in Natchez, with his 
wife by his side.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Eleanor Filbert Bayless; 
his daughter, Eleanor Jane Bayless and her finance, Parker Shirley; his 
cherished twin grandchildren, Ellis Glenn and Ellie Blair Shirley; his 
beautiful mother, Garnett Bayless; his brothers and sisters-in-law, 
Joseph and Alley Bayless II of Harrodsburg, Ken., Bob and Brenda Bayless 
of Alum Creek, W.V., and James and Mandy Bayless of Brookhaven; and his 
sisters and brother-in-law, Karen Hevener of Grove City, Ohio and 
Melanie and Cass Brown of Liberty Hill, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Donald Bayless; his 
sister, Cindy Bayless Neal; and his brother-in-law, Randy Hevener.

His nephews — Adama Hevener, James Robert Bayless, David Brown, Ryan 
Brown, Eli Bayless, Tre Baker, Andrew Stewart and Levi Filbert — 
served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were his brothers, Joseph 
Bayless II, Bob Bayless, James Bayless, Robert Filbert III, Don Neal and 
Cass Brown; his nephew, Joseph Bayless III; his friends, Patrick Davis 
and Chris Zacharias; his late erother, Randy Hevener; and his late 
father, "Joe" Bayless.

To share condolences, please visit www.franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville was in charge of arrangements.