Johnny Welcher Goolsby

Mr. Johnny Welcher Goolsby of Hartwell Highway, Elberton, husband of 49 years to Donna Dickerson Goolsby, died suddenly on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at the age of 67. Mr. Goolsby was born in Abbeville, South Carolina on August 17, 1948, to the late Fred Welcher and Elizabeth Ann Rice Goolsby. In 1955, his family moved to Elberton and he started school at Stevens Elementary School. Johnny graduated from Elbert County High in 1966. During school, he worked at Bond's Gulf Service Station. The week of graduation, he met a freshman by the name of Donna Grace Dickerson. A few short months later, on September 10, 1966, they were married. The following August they had their only child, Sydonna Lynn, of whom he was very proud. Johnny always believed in, and instilled in all of his family, the importance of hard work. In 1967, he went to work at the City of Elberton where he worked in many capacities until his retirement in July of 2015. His greatest pleasure in life was his family. "Papa" always looked forward to the yearly beach trips to Daytona Beach, which was his "happy place", and cruising. Johnny was an avid NASCAR fan. He leaves to cherish memories his wife, Donna; daughter, Lynn Jarrell and her husband Carl of Elberton; grandsons: Cody Jarrell and his wife Christine of Elberton and Zack Jarrell of Athens; three great-grandsons: Carson, Garrett, and Jesse; sisters: Sybil Tucker and her husband Woody and Susan Mincey, all of Hartwell; and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends are invited to visit the family for visitation at Berry Funeral Home from 6 o'clock until 8 o'clock on Friday evening, February 5, 2016. As Johnny requested, he will be cremated and all other services will be private. Entombment of cremains will be in the Forest Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum. At other hours the family will be at the home of Carl & Lynn Jarrell, Hartwell Highway, Elberton. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions in Johnny's memory to Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 644, Elberton, Georgia 30635. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Johnny Welcher Goolsby.