Anthony George Jabaley

Tony was born on June 19, 1938 in Copperhill, Tennessee to Minnie (Boackle) Jabaley and Richard Jabaley. He grew up in Copperhill, attended high school at St. Bernard’s in Cullman, Alabama, and received an undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee. He earned a doctoral degree in chiropractics from Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indiana in 1964.

While the degree was important, the real treasure Tony discovered in Indiana was the beautiful Diane Marie Austin, who swept him off his feet and would later become his wife. Tony and Diane’s “meet cute” happened when Tony spotted Diane working the express check-out line at the local grocery store. He went through the line repeatedly with 10 items until he finally had the courage to ask her out. Together, they shared 62 years of marriage and built a legacy centered on faith and family. They were blessed with four children, seventeen grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren to date.

After practicing for several years as a chiropractor, Tony shifted gears and accepted a job with State Farm Insurance in 1970, where he built his own very successful insurance agency. He loved his work because it gave him the ability to build relationships with people, which was his specialty. His clients weren’t just clients, but friends whom he treasured dearly and knew intimately. Many of his clients were with him for decades, and he knew their children and even their children’s children. Tony’s oldest son, Andy, also became a State Farm agent and in 2005 they joined offices in one location, which allowed Tony to continue doing what he loved up until the day he passed: going into the office, having lunch with his son, and checking in on his people. Stories abound from people near and far whom Tony regularly “checked in on” and made lunch plans with. His capacity to love was truly without limit.

While work was important, the most important things to Tony were his Catholic faith and his family. He was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church for over 30 years, where he and Diane raised their children. He was a devoted patriarch, setting a constant example of faith, love and presence to his family up until the day he passed.

Tony had a love for water skiing as a young boy and enjoyed building pyramids on skis in his teen years with his brothers and cousins on Lake Blue Ridge. He never slowed down in spite of his age– he was even known to pull out his water skis well into his 70’s, donning his favorite hat and a cigar as he skied around Lake Lanier. He also enjoyed playing tennis at Brittany Club and didn’t retire his racquet until recently.

He had a steel trap for a memory and enjoyed recounting stories to friends and family of his days growing up in Copperhill, riding bikes with cousins on Hill Street in downtown Atlanta, eating at the Varsity, and tagging along with his father and uncles as a young teenager during the purchase of the space for what is now St. John’s Melkite Church in Atlanta.

Among his many roles in life, Tony’s favorite role after being Diane’s husband was that of “Gido” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. If he wasn’t helping with dishes from the big family meal, he could always be found holding babies, crawling on the floor alongside them, or teaching them to dance. One of his favorite pastimes, Tony loved cutting a rug with his beautiful bride, his daughters, and granddaughters at weddings and family events. He was intent on staying active and taking care of everyone around him. Over the years, he became known as “Gido” not only to his family, but to the entire community.

Tony is survived by his wife, Diane; his children, Dana (Chip) Brenner, Andy (Allison) Jabaley, Julie (Rymon) Wilborn; dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren; his sisters Lynnda, Judy (Kenneth) Ward; his brother Joseph; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Minnie Jabaley; his brothers, Samuel, Richard, and Ronald, and his son, Michael.

A visitation will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with the Rosary at 6:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 10:00 am at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church. A reception immediately following the funeral will take place in the Mary Our Queen parish hall. A private inurnment will take place at a later date.