Randy Jay

Family-Placed Death Notice

Randy Jay, 67, of Marietta, died Friday, April 22, at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital after a brief illness. A resident of Cobb County since 1965, Randy was born in Gadsden, Ala., the only child of the late Army Scoggins Jay of Augusta, GA and the late Ruth Hawkins Jay of Marietta, Augusta and Huntsville, Ala. Randy retired from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2000, after 29 years. At the AJC, he helped develop the Extra editions of the newspapers and in 1986 moved to the advertisting department as Special Sections Editor. Previously, he worked for the Marietta Daily Journal for six years, starting as a reporter and then as Assistant to the Publisher. In that role he was instrumental in the formation of the Neighbor Newspapers group throughout metro Atlanta. Randy also worked as copy desk chief for The Atlanta Times during its brief existence and began his newspaper career with The Augusta Chronicle in the circulation department before college graduation and later as a reporter and assistant city editor. Randy is a 1956 graduate of Richmond Academy in Augusta, a 1958 graduate of Augusta College and a 1960 graduate of the School of Journalism, University of Georgia. At Georgia, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma honorary advertisting fraternity, Phi Alpha Theta honorary history fraternity, Sigma Delta Chi honorary society of professional journalists and news editor of the Red & Black student newspaper. In 1970s, he was instrumental in formation of Smyrna Little Theatre which is the forerunner of today's Center Stage North. For many years, he has served on the board of directors of Friends of Brumby Hall. He also was a member of Landmarks Historical Society and Piedmont Road Church of Christ. Randy traveled extensively all over the world with longtime friend, Becky Smith of Greensboro, NC. Survivors include cousins, Dolores Stone, Lawrenceville, Helen Freeman, Norcross, Jerry Walker, North Carolina, Donald Walker, Florida, Alan Davenport, Augusta; best friend, Becky Smith, Greensboro, NC; nephew, Bruce Smith, High Point, NC; and niece, Beth Smith Evans of Virginia Beach, VA. Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 29th in the Chapel of Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta with Minister John Tracy and Rev. Everett Anthony officiating. Burial will be 4 PM CDST at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, AL. Visitation will be 6 PM to 8 PM, Friday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta. Donations may be made to Friends of Brumby Hall, P.O. Box 4041, Marietta, GA 30061 and Piedmont Road Church of Christ, 1630 Piedmont Rd., Marietta, GA 30066.