Mrs. Bessie Cannon Lisenby, 79, of 1701 S. Main St., Blakely, Ga., died early Thursday morning, Jan. 17, 2013 at the Early Memorial Nursing Home in Blakely. Her funeral will be held Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 2 PM at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Smith officiating. The family will receive friends in the Church's Social Hall from 12:45 until 1:45 pm. Pallbearers will be Matt Earnest, Ben Davis, Jay Howell, Phil Sandifer, Heath Mansfield, Scott Cannon and Houston Cannon. Burial will follow in the Blakely Cemetery.

Mrs. Lisenby was born August 29, 1933 in Early County, Ga. to the late Stephen Cannon and Merle Mock Cannon. She was an Administrative Assistant for the old Farmers Home Administration in Blakely and a member of the Southside Baptist Church. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Dallas Chancy "Bud" Lisenby and by a brother, Aubrey Cannon.

Her survivors include 4 daughters: Liza Singletary and Steve of Blakely, Ga., Birdie Earnest and Marvin of Auburn, Ga., June Davis and Richard of Albany, Ga., Dalla Roberts and Chad Manning of Jacksonville, Fl. She has a sister, Margie C. Bynum of Dothan, Al. and three brothers: Ray Cannon and Merle of Albany, Ga., Don Cannon and Judy of Blakely, Ga. and Norman Cannon and Dixie of Monument, Co. She also is survived by a former son-in-law, Greg McMullen and Guyla of Blakely, Ga. Her 9 grandchildren are: April Sandifer & Phil of Smyrna, Ga., Matt Earnest & Jenny of Mableton, Ga., Ben Davis and Anna Leigh Davis, both of Albany, Ga., Megan and Morgan McMullen, both of Blakely, Ga., Sam Evans of Blakely, Ga., Elizabeth Mansfield and Heath of Blakely, Ga. and Carol Howell & Jay of Leesburg, Ga. There are also 8 great grandchildren: Trip and Nick Drennan, Olivia Sandifer, Kaylee Davis, Grace Morgan, A. J. and Owen Howell and Isabella Davis. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. She had four special friends and caretakers: Lois Baxley, Mary Alice McClendon, Nadine Wiggins and Linda Ofton.