Dr. Lloyd Darby, age 81, of Vidalia died peacefully Sunday night March 24, 2019 at his residence under the care of Serenity Hospice after an extended illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Vidalia.
Dr. Darby was a prominent dentist in the Vidalia community for nearly 50 years and was the former Owner/Operator of Darby Dental Services. He attended Northwestern University in Illinois and later transferred to Emory University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Doctorate of Dental Surgery. He was a member of Phi Theta Delta Fraternity and President of the Student Dental Association. A member and past president of Georgia’s Central District Dental Society, Dr. Darby was a Fellow in the American Academy of Dentists and an elected board member of the American College of Cosmetic Dentistry. In Vidalia, Dr. Darby was instrumental in obtaining the Dental Hygiene program at Southeastern Technical College and was often seen promoting Children’s Dental Health Month. He participated in the AACD dental program “Give Back a Smile” which provided restorative and cosmetic dental procedures for battered women. He also volunteered and was instrumental with the implementation of the Mercy Medical Clinic Dental Program which was originally named the “Lloyd Darby Compassionate Care Clinic.”
Dr. Darby served as a Chamber of Commerce Board Member and President of the Vidalia Rotary Club where he received the Rotarian of the Year award and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and Will Watt Fellow by Rotary International. He received the Indian Star award from Vidalia City School Board of Education for his dedication to the school system and the implementation of the “Adopt a Teacher” program. A member of Meadows Regional Cancer Board, he was instrumental in the opening of Vidalia’s Cancer Center. He received the DAR Citizen Award in 2012 and implemented his love for fine arts as a Board Member and President of Franklinia Playhouse. In 2015 Dr. Darby was awarded the Vidalia Citizen of the Year award for his lifelong dedication to this community.
Dr. Darby had a love for this country as he served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant. Politically, Dr. Darby has a long resume. He was a former chairman of Toombs County Republican Party as well as District Chairman and member of the State GOP Board. He was a leader in developing both County and Statewide Republican organizations and received an honorary resolution from the Toombs County Republican Party. He was an elected delegate to the 1972 and 1976 Republican National Conventions where he represented the State of Georgia and served as a Presidential Elector in 1976. From 1980-1988 he served as Chairman of Friends of Mattingly and also headed the Patronage Committee.
He was a member of Vidalia Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder, Trustee, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Fellowship Host, and Vacation Bible School Teacher. He was often found leading the Bible study group “Sharing at Shoney’s”.
Dr. Darby is preceded in death by his parents, L. Hubert Darby Jr. and Carolyn Hale Darby.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Loretta Wilkes Darby; three daughters: Pam Darby Davis and husband Steve of Pine Mountain, GA, Jennifer Darby Stancill and husband Brian of Hoschton, GA, and Leslie Darby Miro and husband Paul of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; eight grandchildren: Amanda Miro Bishop (Chad), Frances Miro Rollins (Robbie), Matthew Darby Miro, Loree Anne Thompson Paradise (Scott), Sara Davis Mack (Logan), Darby Thompson, Abby Davis, and Luke Davis; and seven great-grandchildren: Audrey Rollins, Christian Rollins, Bowen Bishop, Bryce Bishop, Elizabeth Mack, Blake Darby Bishop and Loretta Claire Paradise; one sister, Lyn Darby Conner; two sister-in-laws, Elaine McSwain and Joan Davis. Several nieces also survive.
Funeral services for Dr. Lloyd Darby will be held Wednesday March 27, 2019 at Vidalia Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM with Reverend Proctor Chambliss and Reverend Ron Gilreath officiating. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation at Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Vidalia Chapel Tuesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AACD’s “Give Back a Smile” program at 402 W. Wilson St Madison WI 53703 or Vidalia Rotary Club’s “Adopt a Teacher” program.
Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Vidalia Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements for Dr. Lloyd Darby.
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