Sidney Walter Gregory

Sidney Gregory

Funeral services for Mr. Sidney Walter Gregory, of Wrightsville, Georgia, will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at 1 PM at the graveside in the Carter Cemetery, Carter Cemetery Road in Wrightsville. Reverend Cecil Moore, Jr., will deliver the eulogy.

Mr. Gregory was born in Johnson, County, Georgia on April 27, 1926 to the late Walter and Lula Gregory. The eleventh of twelve children, Sidney was the beloved baby boy. At a very young age, he accepted Christ and joined William Chapel A.M.E. Church. He would later move his membership to Brown Chapel Baptist Church, under the leadership of Robert L. Pooler. Despite not having a formal education, Sidney always showed a self-determination to educate and better himself, which helped him throughout his life. He also created opportunities for the young people that came after him as well.

He was many things to many people in his community. He had a natural “green thumb” and made a name for himself as a commercial farmer. “S. W.” or “Dub” as he was affectionately known, used his farming success to give many teenagers the opportunity to earn an honest living for themselves and their families.

In addition to farming, he was a bus driver for the Dock Kemp School. During the early years of his career, he purchased his own bus, which allowed black children the opportunity to safely get to school. After 30 years of faithful service, S.W. retired from the Johnson County School System in 1986.

On January 12, 1947, Sidney married Sallie Mae Kelsey. They would go on to have nine children, run a prosperous farm, and enjoy 47 years of marriage until her passing in 1994. He would later find love again when he married Geneva Barnett.

True to his calling, he faithfully served as a deacon at Brown Chapel Baptist Church for over 40 years, until his health began to decline.

In the early morning hours on Friday, July 24, 2020, Sidney answered the call from labor to rest. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sallie Mae Gregory, his eldest son, Lunis Eugene Gregory, and his ten elder siblings.


To cherish his memories are his wife, Geneva (Barnett) Gregory of over 25 years; two sons, Harvey L. (Laverne) Gregory, and Vernus K. (Theresa) Gregory; six daughters, Marsha G. (Ronnie) Hudson, Geraldine G. (Thomas) Matthews, Bonita G. (Alvin) Ragland, Lutricia G. (Terry) Dorsey, Venny G. (Kenneth) Jones, and Sylvia Gregory; seven stepchildren; one surviving sibling--his most beloved baby sister, Hattie Pearl Baker, whom he called every Saturday evening, and Ruby Kelsey Horton, a sister-in-law from his first marriage; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-five great- grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter.

We especially want to thank his step-daughter and caregiver, Annie (Sue), and a very special nephew, Walter Lee (Pete) Gregory.

Those of us who love him will hold on to the countless memories- the funny stories, his words of wisdom, his love for hats and his Beechnut Chewing Tobacco! Sidney Walter Gregory’s legacy will forever live on in our hearts.

Please post condolences at ServicesByDudley.com.
Services by Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin.