E.R. Mosby

Elmer Rubush “ER” Mosby, 77, of Albany, GA died peacefully at his home on Monday, May 22, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023.  Visitation for family and friends will precede the service at 10:00 a.m.

ER was born in Meridian, MS on March 13, 1946, to the late Bill Rush Mosby, Sr. and Ione Rubush Mosby.  He graduated from Meridian High School in 1964 and received a Bachelor of Science in Business from Mississippi State University.  At MSU, ER was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and served on the Student Social Committee.  His “claim to fame” was that he was responsible for Johnny Cash’s song, “Starkville City Jail,” after leaving Cash at the KA house instead of taking him back to his hotel!

ER began his business career as a Sales Representative with Roadway Express and worked to become District Sales Manager for the State of Florida.  He was named Vice-President of Dowling Bag Company/Patria Packaging in Valdosta, GA in 1986, and retired as Vice-President of National Accounts with Loomis International, where he received numerous sales awards.  ER was highly respected and known for his integrity by his colleagues and customers Coast to Coast.

ER was married to the love of his life, Gayle Stanley, of Lawrenceville, GA.  He fell in love with her after receiving a copy of her MSU Homecoming Court flyer, and assured his friends that, although he had never met Gayle, he would one day marry her…and he did!  ER and Gayle were married on August 3, 1968, and would have celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary this year.  They lived in Valdosta, GA for most of their married life, where they raised their three daughters before retiring in Albany, GA in 2015. 

ER was predeceased by his parents; brother, Bill Rush Mosby, Jr.; sister and brother-in-law, Ella Lea Mosby and Ward Calhoun, Jr.; and father and mother-in-law, John and Venelle Stanley.  He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gayle Stanley Mosby, and his 3 daughters:  Margaret Newton (Sid) of Waynesboro, GA, Meredith Lightsey (Sam) of Greenville, SC, and Melissa Hill (Dan) of Albany, GA.  ER is also survived by six grandchildren:  Virginia “Ginny Lane” Crawford, Albany, GA; Claudia Crawford, Augusta, GA; Hayley and Ansley Lightsey, Greenville, SC; Mosby and John Bradley “Jett” Hill, Albany, GA; and 3 grandchildren by marriage:  John Cleve Newton, Winston-Salem, NC; Catherine “Catie” and Harry Newton, Waynesboro, GA.  Also, sister-in-law, Ellen Mosby, Natchez, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

ER was a member of the Methodist Church his entire life.  At First United Methodist Church of Valdosta, ER served as a Sunday school teacher and Sunday School Superintendent.  He was also Chairman of the Finance Committee, where he raised the money to refurbish the building for Solomon’s Porch, and he was a long-time member of the Becky Anthony Sunday School class.  At Porterfield Memorial UMC in Albany, ER was a member of the Seekers Sunday School class which he considered to be his “Albany family.”  One of the most difficult hardships of his illness was separation from his church friends.

ER traveled for most of his career, but he was actively involved in the community when at home.  Whether he was charming the ladies or telling one of his hilarious stories, he was always the life of the party.  He served on the Board of Directors of Valdosta Country Club where he loved to golf with his “buddies.”  He was a member of the Valdosta Touchdown Club, and he loved UGA football and tailgating in the bookstore parking lot. But, most of all, ER loved his family, forever to be known as “The Mosby Girls!”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Rd, Albany, GA 31707, or First United Methodist Church, 220 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31601.