Dolphus Derrall Stalvey, Sr.

Dolphus Derrall Stalvey, Sr., 73, a child of God, a builder of things that last, and a man who loved his family deeply, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

He first gave his life to Christ more than 40 years ago, recommitting himself along the way with humility and conviction. Most recently, he was a member of Lighthouse Assembly of God. He lived his faith, day after day, in how he served others.

Born April 18, 1953, in Homerville, Georgia, to the late Harold and Alberta Stalvey, he married the love of his life, Ruth Roberts Stalvey, on May 7, 1977, in Fort White, Florida. The life they built never came easy and never had shortcuts, but it was grounded in commitment and unconditional love. Dolphus and Ruth were always in it for each other and in it together.

Dolphus was humble, hardworking, and whole-heartedly devoted to the Lord, his family, and anyone he saw in need. A master carpenter by trade, he volunteered for countless construction projects throughout his life. This included numerous churches, home improvements, custom furniture, and crafts. Each carried a touch of love only he could bring.

He had the rare ability to create. Whether it was wood, music, or paint, he brought things to life. He could pick up a guitar or saxophone and play almost any song by ear without ever reading sheet music. Later in life, after watching Bob Ross on PBS, he taught himself to paint and created more than 20 landscape paintings in a single month to give away as Christmas gifts. That was who he was. If he made something, it was meant to be shared.

He loved to travel with his extended family, creating cherished memories from ski trips to Vermont and beach trips to Santa Rosa, Tybee Island, Caribbean cruises, and beyond. His favorite trip was to Israel with his two sons, where he walked the places Jesus walked.

In 1988, he made a decision that would shape generations, moving his family to Tennessee after years of visiting the Smoky Mountains. Two years after Dolly Parton became part owner of a new theme park, he became one of her earliest employees at Dollywood. He worked behind the scenes in its formative years and later guided guests through areas few ever saw, including the Celebrity Theater and Dolly Parton’s private dressing room. It was a chapter he was proud of, marked by hard work and moments around Dolly. A photo from one encounter has hung on the wall of his living room every year since.

Even then, he remained a builder at heart. In Gatlinburg, he built chalets during a time of rapid growth, while continuing to serve churches and family members, often without pay, simply because someone needed help. Relatives across the Southeast still have something built by his hands in their homes.

After retiring from full-time construction, he pursued another lifelong dream of entrepreneurship by owning a tractor trailer under contract with Nestlé USA for 13 years before fully retiring.

In retirement, he did not slow down. He just reinvested his time building differently through helping others with his hands. For himself, he restored his beloved 1966 Ford Galaxie, completing one of his longtime goals even after learning of his illness.

His roots in Clinch County stretched back generations. His great-great-great grandfather, John Stalvey, was among the earliest settlers in the area and is buried in what is now known as the Stalvey-Hilliard Cemetery. Historian Folks Huxford records an 1853 account of John sharing with Dr. John Homer Mattox—after whom the town of Homerville was named—that a railroad would one day run through Mattox’s land. Though dismissed at the time, that railroad was eventually built along the very path described and remains in use today, tying the Stalvey family to the earliest story of the town Dolphus called home.

Dolphus has always held great respect for his ancestors and made sure one of the oldest cemeteries in Clinch County received the care it deserved. What began as an effort to mow and clear weeds of the historic Stalvey-Hilliard Cemetery became a labor of love that transitioned into a complete makeover a few years ago. He single-handedly led the effort to breathe life into the place and restore dignity to graves dating back to 1846.

Dolphus is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Roberts Stalvey; his sons, Derrall (Heather) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Lavell of Homerville, Georgia; his grandchildren, Zoe and Ella Claire (children of Derrall), and Lavell II and Breanna (children of Lavell); Shelby, mother of Lavell II and Breanna; his sisters, Carolyn and Lawanna; his brothers, Julian and Donald; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Denise, Frank, Betrinda, and Sean, who were like siblings to him; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other special in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Alberta Allen Stalvey, and his brothers Elzia, Charles, E.W., Carlton, and James. 

The family expresses their deep gratitude to Dr. Jianfeng Wang, his nurse Megan Herring, and the staff of Pearlman Cancer Center and South Georgia Medical Center for the extraordinary care they provided, giving us more time than we ever expected.

The compassion shown by so many in this community from the moment of his diagnosis is something we will always cherish. We know he felt that love, and we know we are not walking this journey alone. We ask that you continue to walk with us as we celebrate the life of a great man, Dolphus Stalvey.

He built more than what he could hold in his hands. He built a double scoop of life, a family, and a legacy that will stand for generations.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at Lighthouse Assembly of God, located at 2104 Pearson Highway in Homerville, Georgia. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at Lighthouse Assembly of God with Rev. Donald Stalvey and Rev. David Inman officiating. A graveside service will follow at Pine Forest Cemetery.

You may share condolences to the Stalvey family at www.roundtreefuneralhome.net.

Arrangements are by Roundtree Funeral Home, 240 East Dame Avenue, Homerville, Georgia.