Alton Lee Darby

Alton Lee Darby passed away on December 3, 2025, after a fourteen month battle with cholangiocarcinoma, at the farm near Leslie, Georgia, one of Alton’s favorite places in this world. Alton was surrounded there by his loving wife, Cathy, family and loved ones. Born on August 6, 1946, in Eufaula, Alabama, Alton was raised in “metropolitan Edison”, Georgia, as Alton was fond of describing his hometown of 1,200; Alton was the only son of David Olin Darby and Ileane Ellis Darby. Olin and Ileane adored and doted on Alton; he was an only child through and through. Alton is survived by his loving wife, Mary Catherine Darby; his daughters, Aimee Darby Sparks (Norwood Kerr), Jessica Dreamer (Christian), Lindsey Cotton Walker (Keith), and Christa Cotton (Brian Bitner); his sons, Maxwell Darby (Danielle) and Charles Ellis Darby; his grandchildren, Zoe Sparks (Nihal Bambulkar), Alexa Sparks, Dallas Woods (Emily), Stone Woods, Mia Woods, Flora Darby Bitner, and Waverly Walker; and great grandchildren Archer Woods and Maddie Woods. Alton was predeceased by his father, David Olin Darby, and his mother, Ileane Ellis Darby. Alton was a beloved husband, father, son, nephew, cousin, uncle, friend, and business partner. He touched the lives of many with his unforgettable storytelling, quick sense of humor, genuine warmth, and his knack for making everyone feel like an old friend He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. His mind was always turning, his business instincts were keen, his wit was sharp, and his heart was generous and empathetic. No matter the circumstance, Alton had an extraordinary ability to remain optimistic and opportunistic under the most difficult of circumstances. Alton graduated from the University of Georgia in 1969 and was a life-long supporter of UGA’s Terry College of Business. He believed in education and founded the Darby Family/Victory Scholarship fund at UGA for students from rural Georgia which focused on students who were the first of their family to attend college. After a brief career in commercial banking with C&S Bank, Alton used his business skills, entrepreneurial nature and financial acumen to pursue commercial real estate development and investments, as well as, other businesses including the founding of Victory Real Estate Investments, Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, and Victory Leslie Ag, among others. Alton loved doing deals, working on financing, talking with lenders and others in the business community. While not someone who embraced technology personally, the day Alton got his first cell phone changed his life. Alton answered his phone wherever he was and whatever day of the week or time of day it was. Alton was not just an only child; he was one of a kind. His energy and engagement in all he did were extraordinary. From his earliest days, Alton was energetic and active, living a rich and varied life. Alton’s interests spanned a broad spectrum from rock and roll music to politics to real estate to history and to economics. Alton loved to run financial proformas on yellow pads – running numbers over and over again; each time tearing up his last set of numbers into small pieces and then, pen in hand, he began running the numbers on the same deal again filling another yellow pad sheet. Alton knew each business deal inside and out; he was always prepared. Alton was a consummate storyteller; he often started a conversation with “can I tell you a story”. He seamlessly weaved stories and personal details into every conversation, presentation or call. He cared deeply about people and ended most conversations with the expression “what can I do for you?” thereby letting everyone know they were important to him. On the personal front, Alton had a fear of flying; he drove everywhere he went including the many annual trip to the International Council of Shopping Center’s convention in Las Vegas. Numerous funny, occasionally sad and many unusual stories came out of the many long drives and driving vacations, Cruising was also an acceptable alternative to flying for Alton; one year, instead of flying for a Baltic Sea cruise vacation, Alton and Cathy took a cruise ship from Boston to Greenland, Iceland and ultimately England, where they boarded the Baltic Cruise. After the Baltic Cruise, they boarded a cruise ship reversing the earlier trip and cruised from England back to Boston. Of course, they drove to and from Boston (no flying allowed). Alton not only enjoyed spending time at the farm in Leslie, he and Cathy enjoyed spending time at their beach home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and for many years at their home in Lee County, Georgia. In September of 2024, Alton was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Alton spent many of the subsequent months at MD Anderson in Houston where he received world-class care and treatments. In the end, the cancer and complications of the cancer won. But throughout, Alton was optimistic and he fought the good fight to the end. For over 30 years, Alton was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albany, Georgia. He was grateful for the grace and love of God. To his many friends and loved ones, Alton would say, “I have just one more thing to say, I had an amazing life” and then sing a few words from the Frank Sinatra hit, “I Did It My Way”. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any of the three following charities: 1. MD Anderson - Robert A Wolff Education Endowment Web Based Payment:  www.MDAnderson.org/gift  Check: “I’d like to choose where my donation will go.”  Mark: Other  Type in: Dr. Robert A Wolff Education Endowment Payment by Mail: Mail to: MD Anderson Cancer Center c/o Maria Gelormini P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486  Checks should be made payable to MD Anderson  Note that your gift is for the Robert A Wolff Education Endowment 2. University of Georgia - Darby Family/ Victory Real Estate Scholarship Fund Online Contributions can be made via the following link:  Darby Family/Victory Real Estate Scholarship Fund 3. Covenant Presbyterian Church – in memory of Alton L. Darby Payment by Mail: Mail Checks to: Covenant Presbyterian Church 2126 E Edgewater Dr, Albany, GA 31707 Online:  Covenant Presbyterian Church  Online Giving  Secured Giving Portal  Memorials

Alton Lee Darby

August 6, 1946 - December 3, 2025