ROY DARBY

Roy Eugene Darby of Waleska. Georgia, died on Thursday, May 20, 2010 in his home, surrounded by his wife, daughter, brothers, sisters, grandchildren and other family members and friends. Born on May 20, 1928 to The Reverend W.T. Darby and Matilda Wilder, Roy was known by many and described as a trusted friend, caring brother, devoted man and a serviceman to his country. He was a farmer and builder, avid mechanic and, at times, a pyrotechnic and race car driver. Roy was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1945 and was awarded the Combat Infantry Man Medal, the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. Roy never missed a day of work while in the Army and remained his service as a member of the Army Reserves until 1950. In June of 1946 he married Bonnie Beatrice “Boots” King. The family remembers when a very nervous Roy was working alongside his siblings at the family farm. The Reverend would not let Roy go get married until all the peanuts were planted; so Roy asked for help by suggesting that some of the peanuts get thrown into the pasture and over the fence to make things go a little faster. Everyone cooperated and Roy was finally able to leave and get married. The following day, perhaps due to the excitement of his new life, Roy started his day by shaving with toothpaste! Roy began to work at the Canton Cotton Mills in August of 1946, a job he held for 35 years. He was the last man to walk out the mill when it closed in 1981. Roy locked the doors of the cotton mill behind him. Roy loved people and never met a stranger. There are countless stories about Roy: stories that range from his adventures with his brothers and sisters, daughter and grandchildren, to countless stories with his friends; teaching others all about cars and mechanics, gardening and farming, raising cattle and other trades. Boots remembers telling Roy that there were so many jacked-up cars outside on their front yard that people where likely thinking they may be selling something illegal. Roy and Boots also raised chickens – 12,000 in 1962 to be exact. They also raised cows. His brothers and sisters remember Roy’s attempts at flying out of the barn by putting fodder under each arm and taking off – straight onto the ground. The adventurer in him took to the speedway where he rode car number 11 at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock. Despite driving the car backwards on the track, Roy managed to win $15 for his achievement. Other stories include Roy trying a new skin care product – poison oak, which he rubbed all over his face. Once he bought a calf from one of his sisters for $15. The calf died the next day and Roy would not accept the money back, despite his sister insisting he take the $15 back. In Roy form, he told her that he had bought the calf fair and square. Everyone agrees that Roy was always doing something. Growing up the kids would ride the farm mules, sometimes over the edge of the bank and into the water. Three of the boys once loaded corn onto the family’s Model 8 truck and, while driving back to the barn, the truck turned over as it had no brakes and threw the boys out the back. While one of the boys went for help, oldest brother Bill did all he could to get Roy from under the truck. When he did, Roy looked up and asked “Are you dead too?” Roy’s Ice Cream Parties are remembered by many, and where one of his favorite times. Brothers, sisters, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends all gathered to participate in this Darby tradition, featuring a wide variety of homemade ice cream flavors for all to enjoy. There are hundreds of stories about Roy and each has a bit of humor, adventure and kindness. He always told a good story and was a gentle man. Roy will be missed greatly by his family and everyone who knew him. A member of the American Legion, the VFW and Refuge Baptist Church, Roy is survived by his wife Boots, their daughter Glenda Cronan and her husband Michael; grandson Chris Cronan and his wife Beth; grand-daughter Kim and her husband Justin Ivey; great-grandchildren Logan and Skyler Ivey; brothers Bill, Horace and Tom Darby; sisters Ola Poole, Ruth Elle Ippich, Elizabeth Foster, Mildred Darby and Irene Brookshire; nieces, nephews, and many more family members

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ROY DARBY

May 20, 2010