Barbara Darby Hornbuckle

Barbara Darby Hornbuckle, of Kennesaw, formerly of Valdosta, passed away at home on September 10, 2012. Mrs. Hornbuckle was born December 5, 1931, in Marietta, to the late George Thomas and Kathleen Elizabeth Hines Darby. She graduated from North Avenue Presbyterian High School (now the Westminster Schools) in downtown Atlanta, where she was a member of the basketball team. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and the University of Georgia, where she was initiated into the Phi Mu Sorority. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism in 1953. Upon graduation from college, Mrs. Hornbuckle worked in Valdosta AM radio with advertising, copywriting, playlists, and hosted several on-air women’s features programs. She was formerly the South Georgia Regional Director of the Girl Scouts of America, a Pink Lady at South Georgia Medical Center, treasurer of the Valdosta High School Marchin’ Cats Band Boosters, advisor to the Pi Gamma Phi High School sorority, officer in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity Mothers of Minerva Club, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Valdosta. Mrs. Hornbuckle was also a member of the Cotillion Club, Elks Club Ladies Auxiliary, and a lifetime member of the Valdosta Junior Service League. She enjoyed playing Bridge. She served several terms as chapter advisor to the Phi Mu Sorority at Valdosta State University, a chapter she helped to found on the VSU campus in 1965. For many years, she worked as bookkeeper and later as owner and manager of Darby’s Ladies Shoes in downtown Valdosta. She and the late Robert Bruce Hornbuckle of Valdosta were the parents of two children, son, Bruce Darby Hornbuckle of Kennesaw, and daughter, Brenda Kaye Pridgen of Valdosta, both of whom survive her. She is also survived by granddaughter and husband, Lacey Davis Stephens and Shad Stephens, and great-grandsons, Dalton Stephens and Brogen Stephens of Hahira; granddaughter and husband, Lindsey Davis Purvis and Justin Purvis of Quitman; grandson, Scottie Darby Hornbuckle of Summerville; nephews, David and Greg Hornbuckle of Atlanta; aunt, Shannon Hines Hunt, of Nashville, TN; and cousins, Patricia Darby Thompson of Manchester, Brenda Dempsey, of Hendersonville, TN, and Lee Hunt, of Acworth. The family will receive friends in Marietta from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home. The family will receive friends in Valdosta from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Carson McLane Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at First Baptist Church, Valdosta. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, Marietta, is in charge of arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com

Barbara Darby Hornbuckle

December 5, 1931 - September 10, 2012