John Henry Travis, Jr. was born on August 2, 1929. He departed this life on May 25, 2024. He was survived by his loving wife of almost 67 years, Anna, and his children: daughters, Geraldine Paster (Jimmie), Susie White (Darryl), and Lisa Malvin (Greg); sons, Timothy Travis (Nikki) and Curtis Travis. He was survived by eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by children, sons, John H. Travis III and Carl Hayes, and a daughter, Willie Witherspoon. He was also preceded in death by his father, John Henry Travis Sr.; mother, Susie Betsy Travis; stepmother, Annie Travis; sisters, Addie Means, Nancy Carter, Mattie Kelly, Beulah Mc- Crupten, and Bertha Travis; brothers, Alfred Travis, Charlie Travis, Charles Travis, Bill Travis, James Travis, Sidney (Peaches) Travis, and Eugene Travis.
John attended Greensboro High School and was self-trained as a mechanic and welder. He owned the Travis Repair Shop before transitioning into becoming a full-time farmer, raising cotton, corn, cattle, and hay. He helped fundraise and establish the Sawyerville Volunteer Fire Department. John was well-known by his grandchildren for Papa’s ribs and was an avid deer hunter, often saying, “The deers eat my garden up in the spring and I am going to eat them up in the winter.”
John’s life and legacy were celebrated on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Bass Tabernacle C.M.E. Church in Akron, Alabama, with Rev. Willie D. Garnett and Rev. Curtis Travis officiating the service.
