Travelers will see the memorial highway signs on SR 45 in Early, Miller and Calhoun counties. A portion of State Route 45 in Early County from the Miller County line to the Calhoun County line was dedicated as the Joe Bryan Highway during a special ceremony held December 22 in the Joe Bryan Auditorium at Southwest Georgia Academy.

The dedication was authorized by a House Resolution introduced by Representative Gerald Greene.

The resolution cited Bry- an’s distinguished public service to his community, the Boy Scouts, Southwest Georgia Academy and more than 50 years of service to the peanut industry.

He was similarly honored by a Senate Resolution. They both included a remembrance citation from St. James C.M.E. Church which reads, “Joe Bryan never refused to help any worthy cause” and the citation from Bethel Methodist Church, “Joe Bryan was a Godly man who vigorously pursued a Godly path toward a Godly cause — helping his fellow man.”

Joseph Burrell Bryan died Mar. 31, 2007, of heart failure at age 86.

Participating in the dedication ceremony were Bryan’s family members, Representative Greene, Senator John Bulloch, SGA headmaster Doug Dease and Loraine Timmons, wife of Jimmy Hodge Timmons, who sang “God Bless America.”

The flag saluted during the dedication was flown over the nation’s capital in memory of “Mr. Joe” by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss.

Speaking of their relationship with Mr. Bryan and his many contributions during the dedication were Johnny Floyd, Highway Board member, State Senator George Hooks, Tyron Spearman, Peanut Shellers Association, and county commissioner Hank Jester.