January 27, 1941 – September 21, 2026
Barbara Keaton Darley, 85, of Bainbridge, passed away Monday, September 21, 2026.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Delwood Baptist Church with Rev. Andy Hall officiating. Interment will follow at Delwood Baptist Church Cemetery with Will Darley, Carson Meredith, Stephen Gainous, Drew Gainous, Mark Gainous, and Abram Gainous serving as active pallbearers.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 1030 Boxwood Drive, Bainbridge, GA 39819; Delwood Baptist Church, 480 Delwood Church Road, Camilla, GA 31730; American Heart Association www.heart.org/donate; Aflac Blood & Cancer Disorders Center www.choa.org/donate; or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation www.cff.org/donate.
Barbara Jean Keaton was born January 27, 1941, in Bainbridge, GA, the daughter of Earl & Flonnie Day Keaton. She attended Mt. Pleasant School. In 1957, Barbara married Ehrlich Darley, and the two were obviously crazy about each other throughout their years together. Barbara spent 20 years caring for her mother-in-law before returning to school, earning her GED and completing some college coursework. She later worked in retail at Belk Shoe Department.
Barbara was a longtime member of Delwood Baptist Church and a quiet servant who was always willing to help where needed. She served the church in many ways, including one summer as VBS coordinator. She loved music and singing in the choir. Barbara was not a woman of many words, but her sweet smile often said plenty. She adored her children and grandchildren, and they could see her love for them with just a look. Barbara loved her family unconditionally, with the kind of agape love that never wavered.
Survivors include her children, June Gainous (Ronnie) and William Darley (Twyla); her grandchildren, Will & Chelsea, Hannah, Stephen & Sasha, Mark & Tasha, and Brooke & John; her great-grandchildren, Raylee, Greyson, Madeline, Makenna, Drew, Abram, Annie Grove, Katelyn, Kendall, and Kourtney; her siblings, Sherry Moore (Ron) and Stanley Keaton (Laura); and a host of extended family. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Ehrlich Darley, and her brothers, Elton Keaton, Ronnie Keaton, Greg Keaton, and Bruce Keaton.
Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)
Dear family,
I worked with Miss Barbara years ago at Belk. She was truly one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days.
Sincerely,
Paula Odom