Mr. Roy Copeland Darby, age 88, of Adel, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Southwell Health and Rehabilitation Center in Adel.  He was born in Berrien County on October 8, 1936 to the late Emory C. Darby and the late Nina McNeal Darby but live most of his life in Cook County.

Mr. Darby spent most of his youth in Adel where, at the age of thirteen, he met the love of his life, Marianne Talley.   He graduated Cook High School in 1956 before attending South Georgia College.  He spent time in the U.S. Army where he was a Sergeant First Class.  In 1958, he and Marianne were wed and settled into married life in Adel.  Roy began his career in forestry, first working at Darby Lumber Company and then at Talley Veneer and Crate Company.  He eventually owned his own pulpwood business before joining Del-Cook Lumber until his retirement.  During this time he also became a licensed realtor with Century 21 and received his Associate Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Roy was very active in his community where he served two terms on the Adel City Council and was a Director in the Jaycees.

He loved the Lord and dedicated himself to helping at his church home, Adel United Methodist Church (now Adel Wesleyan Church), as a Lay Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Methodist Men, Sunday School teacher, choir member and also assisted with the Youth Group.

Roy had a wide range of friends and enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf.  He enjoyed getting to know people and was known for always looking at someone's character rather than their social status or appearance.

He was very active in charities including SPCA, Wounded Warriors Project and the St. Laidre Indian School.  He was a lifetime contributor to The Daily Bread and gave a copy to most of the people he met.  He was a Mason and Shriner, holding memberships in the Adel Masonic Lodge #310 and the Hasan Temple of the Shrine.  He spent many Saturdays taking families to the Shriner's Hospital in Tampa.  Roy was one of the last true Southern Gentlemen and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Darby is survived by his wife, Marianne Talley Darby of Adel; three daughters and two sons-in-law: Susan Darby Young and Kenny Young of Tifton, Georgia, Leslie Galifianakis of Acworth, Georgia, Allison and Timmy Davis of Adel; three grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Davis of Adel, Darby Davis Lindsey (Skylar) of Norman Park, Georgia, and Allie Galifianakis of Acworth; four great-grandchildren: Brantley Davis of Adel, and Anniston Lindsey, Tucker Lindsey and Bowen Lindsey all of Norman Park; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his sister, Helen D. Mashburn.

The funeral services for Mr. Darby will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 22, 2025 at the Adel Wesleyan Church with Rev. Doug Tolson and Mr. Tom Thomas, Sr. officiating.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn City Cemetery.  Kenny Young will sing "Amazing Grace" and Jan Hurst will sing "Sweet Beulah Land" with Randy Booth providing accompaniment on piano; "Go Rest High on That Mountain" will also be sung at the service.  The family will have visitation at the church from 1:00 PM until service time on the day of the service.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.boonefunerals.com .  Boone Funeral Home is serving the Darby family.