September 9, 2024, 79, Goldsboro —
Jay Derby, age 79, died peacefully at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh on September 9th. Jay was preceded in death in 2004 by his beloved wife, Anna Hicks Potter Derby, and is survived by their children: daughter, Hope Derby Carmichael and son-in-law Randy of Raleigh; son, Jay Derby III and daughter-in-law Susan of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and their cherished granddaughters, Emma Hope Carmichael, Caroline Woods Derby, Anna Leigh Derby and Anna Ross Carmichael.
Jay is also survived by his wife of 9 years, Rita Carey Derby, formerly of New Bern. Jay and Rit’s loving life together brought him much joy.
Jay grew up and raised his own family in Goldsboro, where he served as a Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church and was active in many civic and community activities. He was the oldest child of the late W. J. “Jake” and Hope Schilletter Derby, and he is survived by his devoted sisters and brothers-in-law, Ellen and Jack Best, and Susan and Wilson Stackhouse, all of Goldsboro, as well as much loved Derby clan of nieces, nephews, cousins, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. Jay also enjoyed a particular closeness with his cousin, Doug Schilletter, and wife, Teri, and loved their visits and keeping up with their travels and their boys. The cornerstone of Jay’s life was to share and strengthen the close bond of family and the many friends who always felt like family.
Jay’s life is best remembered by his passions and by his compassion. Always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, Jay lived the Boy Scout law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Jay was an Eagle Scout as well as the proud son, father, uncle, and great-uncle of Eagle Scouts. Long before his own children were involved in scouting, Jay served as scout master and mentor to many young men, his dedication to and love of the Boy Scouts continuing throughout his life.
Jay was happiest on the water – in truth on a sailboat (apologies to all of his fishing buddies) – and he pursued that passion from his youngest days sailing with his parents and many friends up and down the Pamlico and Neuse Rivers and Bogue Sound. Jay loved the University of North Carolina, rarely missing a Tarheel football or basketball game, in more recent years watching on television while animatedly texting the pros and cons of every call on the family group chat.
Following a private burial at St. Barnabas cemetery in Snow Hill, the family will receive friends on Saturday, September 14th at 1:00 pm in McChesney Hall at First Presbyterian Church in Goldsboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1101 E Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530, or to the Tuscarora Council, Boy Scouts of America, https://www.tuscarorabsa.org/support.
