IN LOVING MEMORY OF

John Brewer

John Brewer Gilreath Jr. Profile Photo

Gilreath Jr.

Mar 20, 1958 — Oct 30, 2025

Tartrytown

Obituary

Mr. John B. "Johnny" Gilreath Jr., age 67, beloved husband of Cindi Driggers Gilreath of Tarrytown passed away on Thursday morning, October 30, 2025 at Memorial Health Meadows in Vidalia, Georgia.

Born in Trion, GA, he was born to the late John Brewer Gilreath Sr., and Willa Dean Locklear Gilreath.  Growing up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, he was a graduate of Trion High School in Chatttooga County.  After high school, he attended West Georgia College in Carrollton from where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation.  While attending West Georgia College, he tutored a fellow Chemistry student, Cynthia Kay Driggers  The Chemistry was obvious and on September 3, 1978, they began their life together as husband and wife.

Mr. Gilreath's professional career was centered around the appliance and furniture business.  He worked as the Store Manager for Aaron's and Pay Less Rentals in North Georgia for many years before moving to Montgomery County in 2008.  After settling in Tarrytown, he continued his career with Aaron's before finishing out his long and successful career with Advance Auto Parts in Swainsboro.   After retiring in 2021 he started driving a school bus for the Montgomery County School System, which he continued until his passing.

Mr. Gilreath's passion and love centered around his family and coaching each of his children's sports teams.  For over forty years he coached, mentored and nurtured untold numbers of young children that are now coaching their own children.  His children have been privileged to not only be coached by their father, but now to coach their children, his grandchildren, along with him.  His wisdom and guidance was willingly shared and will be repeated to the generations that will follow in his footsteps.

Affectionately known as "Two Pop" and "Tootsie", he was an avid bargain hunter and loved an auction (especially the Tarrytown Auction).

He and his wife have been active members of the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Vidalia where he was a Deacon and was his wife's right hand helping her with children's ministry, Vacation Bible School and Mission trips.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Janet Gilreath Wilbanks.

Mr. Gilreath leaves behind, his wife of forty-seven years, Cindi D. Gilreath, Tarrytown, GA, their children, Jeremy Gilreath (Angel), Tarrytown, GA, Jenni Reve Snyder (Brandon), Salem, VA, Jody Gilreath (Haley), Tarrytown, GA, a brother, Kenneth Gilreath (Jennifer), Summerville, SC, grandchildren, Charlee Gilreath, Hadlea Gilreath, Caroline Snyder, Paisley Gilreath, Jackson Snyder, Ford Gilreath, Landon Snyder, Beckett Gilreath, Andee Gilreath, twins Blakelyn and Adler Gilreath and Hattie Gilreath, mother-in-law, Mary H. Driggers, nieces and nephews, Meagan Guin (Mike), Holly Gipson (Greg), Devon Gilreath, Matt Driggers (Ashley) and several great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Vidalia with Pastor Bobby Thompson and Madison Herrin officiating.

Mr. Gilreath will be laid to rest in the Tarrytown Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Cash Driggers, Teagan Guin, Mike Guin, Tommy Edge, Phil Williams and Cory Reynolds.

Honorary escorts will be the coaches and players of the South Georgia Smoke 10U and 9U teams.

His family will receive friends on Saturday, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Vidalia, or friends and family may call at the family home.

Please share a memory, leave a condolence message and sign the online guest register at www.sammonsfuneralhome.com

SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, Family Owned and Operated Since 1917

912-529-4411 or 478-455-0671

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Visitation

November
1

Saturday

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Funeral Service

November
2

Sunday

Starts at 2:00 pm

Graveside Service

November
2

Sunday

Tarrytown Cemetery

Georgia 29, Tarrytown, GA

Starts at 3:15 pm

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