Carl Jackson Goolsby

Carl Jackson "Jack" Goolsby, 93, of Carnesville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, August 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and family, just one day shy of his 73rd wedding anniversary.

Born December 15, 1932, in Carnesville, Georgia, Jack was the son of the late Brebson Goolsby and Minnie Duvall Goolsby.

Jack proudly served his country for 20 years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. During his distinguished military career, his service took him and his family to numerous places around the world, including Puerto Rico, Greenville, Charleston, the Philippines, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Vietnam, Germany, and Japan.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Jack continued his strong work ethic in civilian life. He worked for General Electric in turbine manufacturing and later for Coats & Clark. Jack was certainly no stranger to hard work, even building his own family home with his own hands.

Jack was a faithful member of New Bethel Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and church treasurer. His faith was the foundation of his life. Above all else, Jack loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and lived his life keeping Christ at the center of all things.

He enjoyed gardening and traveling, and his family. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and treasured the time spent with each of them.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Brebson and Minnie Goolsby; grandson, David Jackson Goolsby; great-granddaughter, Koti Lynn Goolsby-White; and siblings, Grace Goolsby Herron, Gladys Goolsby Caudell, Helen Goolsby Jameson, William Harold Goolsby, Mattie Jean Goolsby Dell, George Frederick Goolsby, and Sidney Leon Goolsby.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Betty Purcell Goolsby of Carnesville; three sons, Dennis (Charleen) Goolsby of Edisto Island, South Carolina, Daran (Christine) Goolsby of Abilene, Texas, and Douglas (Darlene) Goolsby of Salem, South Carolina; grandchildren, Danny, Jason (Mindy), Scott (Paula), Steven (Jill), Mindy (Brent), Hannah (Christian), Mandy, Stacy (Bryan), Cherie (Scott), and Amy; great-grandchildren, Jason Jr., Randall, Hailee, Ryan, Paisley, Lilly, Aiden, Madilyn, Molly Grace, Gunnar, Michael, and Emily; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

The family will receive friends at Ginn Funeral Home in Carnesville on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Childress and the Rev. Joey Gilbert officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors presented at the graveside in recognition of Jack's 20 years of faithful service to his country.