Daniel Keith Yarbrough

Daniel Keith Yarbrough, 83, of Waycross passed away Wednesday morning, September 9, 2026, at Satilla Hospice House in Waycross following an extended illness. He was born in Camden County, Georgia on December 19, 1942, to Rev. Ralph Bird and Juanita LaVerte Tanner Yarbrough. As the son of a Methodist minister, Keith and his family moved to several appointments in South Georgia before settling on the family farm in Atkinson County. Tending crops and managing cattle with his family and many cousins in the Stokesville Community instilled in Keith a life-long work ethic and deep family bonds.

In addition to farming, the family established and published the Atkinson County Citizen newspaper from 1952 to its sale in 1974, giving Keith experience in writing, typesetting, and printing. Keith graduated from Atkinson County High School and Emory at Oxford College, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from Valdosta State College.

In 1969, Keith began a distinguished career with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services in Coffee County. Starting as a case manager, he rose to become a director in Coffee County and then a regional director for counties across South Georgia, dedicating his life’s work to helping abused and neglected children and others who could not defend themselves.

Keith relocated to Waycross and married Kathy Sumner in 1976. In his hospital room, this devoted couple quietly celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 31, 2026. Together they reared three children who survive him, Catherine Olson of Norcross, Matthew Yarbrough of Waycross, and Susan Garner (Taylor) of Casselberry, FL. He was a proud Papa to Abigail Yarbrough, Emily Yarbrough, Eloise Garner, and Jack Garner. He is also survived by a sister, Margaret McCranie (Slade) of Morven, sister-in-law Sue Yarbrough of Chapin, SC, and sister-in-law Karen Seibold of LaRue, TX. Keith was predeceased by his parents, his parents-in-law Jack and Ramona Sumner, his brothers Bradley and Paul Yarbrough, his son-in-law Jim Olson, his brother-in-law Bob Siebold, and his sister-in-law Eddie Yarbrough.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 12, in the Miles Odum Funeral Home Chapel in Waycross. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM with funeral services at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at 12:30 PM at Brushy Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice House Satilla, 800 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501, The Methodist Children’s Home in Macon, GA, or to a charity of your choice.

Sympathy maybe expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com

Miles-Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.