Renay S. Weatherby

November 20, 1943 - March 18, 2022

Renay S. Weatherby (78) of Marietta passed away Friday, March 18 at Kennestone Hospital from complications due to injuries sustained in a terrible car accident 8 days prior on Sandy Plains Road. Renay was born on November 20, 1943, in Benton, Arkansas to L.S. and Minnie Ruth Weatherby, he graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1963, and shortly after married his high school sweetheart Diane Gabriel. They were married for 58 years. He often told friends and family the secret to being married so long is two magic words “Yes, Dear.” In 1963 Renay and his father L.S. started Weatherby Christmas Trees, which has been a 59-year family tradition in Marietta, now run by the fourth generation of Weatherbys. He owned Weatherby Auto Sales on Roswell Road from 1985-2008. Renay managed many car dealerships during his career in both Georgia, and North Carolina. He loved fishing with his grandchildren, boating, flying his Cessna airplane, traveling, ballroom dancing, spending time with family and friends, and watching documentaries- especially all things aviation and automobiles. Renay is survived by his wife Diane Gabriel Weatherby (Marietta), daughter Laurine Weatherby Head (Marietta- husband Dennis Head), son Shawn Weatherby (Marietta- wife Amy Glosson Weatherby), daughter Brigette Weatherby Billiot (Cut Off, LA- husband Floyd Billiot), daughter-in-law Tanya Spears Weatherby (Marietta), and 15 grandchildren: Jason Gorman (Mableton- wife Brooke), Jonathan Gorman (Marietta- wife Eva), Donovan Head (Woodstock- wife Jansen), Christopher McDougald (St. Simons Island- wife Catherine), Jovi Billiot (Bellingham, WA- wife Katie), Jacques Weatherby (Woodstock), Daniel Head (Marietta), Jacquelyn Weatherby (Smyrna), Garrett Hall (Dallas- wife Cristen), Gabrielle Weatherby (Kennesaw), Trenton Hall (Dallas), Diana Head (Clemmons, NC), Michael Weatherby (Marietta), Alexis Weatherby (Marietta), Teka Billiot (Galliano, LA); 12 great grandchildren: Brooklyn, Britton, Annabelle, Tenley, Kourtney, Zachary, Chantz, Londyn, Ezra, Isla, Liam, and most recently Jacob. He is also survived by his brothers, Lonnie Weatherby (Marietta), Steve Weatherby (Dayton, TN- wife Kathy); Candace Weatherby Bentley (Marietta), Cynthia Weatherby Umphlett (Dallas), and sister in-law Carolyn Gabriel Keller (Blounstown, FL), along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son Jacques “Jack” Weatherby who passed away just 6 months prior to pancreatic cancer at 55, father L.S. Weatherby, mother Minnie Ruth Weatherby, brothers Dexter Weatherby, and Jonathan Weatherby, father-in-law Dominic Gabriel, mother-in-law Maryanne Gabriel, brother-in-law Bill Keller, sisters-in-law Callie Weatherby, and Margie Weatherby, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation for Mr. Weatherby is at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 27 at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, and the funeral service is 2:00 p.m.