Herbert H. Mabry

Herbert “Herb” Hoover Mabry, age 82, passed away on September 20, 2011. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Colleen Elizabeth Bailey Mabry and one son, Philip Mabry. He is survived by daughters, Sandra Moltz (Dick) of Roswell, GA, and LuAnn Warrick (Brent) of Marietta, GA; sons, Bill Mabry (Anne) of Marietta, GA, Bob Mabry (Colleen) of Las Vegas, NV, and Paul Mabry of Atlanta, GA; twelve grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Other survivors include brothers William L. “Pug” Mabry of Roswell, GA and Don Mabry of Marietta, GA; sisters Marie Barnes of Canton, GA, Geraldine Clark of Young Harris, GA, Florence Ingram of Canton, GA, Martha Brown of Marietta, GA, and Mary Bennett of Marietta, GA. He was predeceased by parents, William Lee Mabry and Edna Jenkins Mabry; sisters, Sylvia Pirkle and Laura Cooper; and brother Doyle Mabry. Herb was a native of Fulton County and attended Fulton County schools. He studied labor law at Woodrow Wilson Law School. Herb was a carpenter by trade and built many homes in the Sandy Springs area. He became a member of Carpenters Local 225 in Atlanta in 1950 and worked his way up through the ranks to become President of the Local in 1969. Herb was elected Secretary of the Georgia State AFL-CIO in 1970 and in 1972 became President. He proudly served as President of the Georgia AFL-CIO for 27 years, and was named “President Emeritus” upon his retirement in 1999. During his career he led Georgia’s unions through many difficult and turbulent times, especially during the civil rights movement. Herb was a dedicated representative for the labor movement in Georgia, but was still able to maintain a respectful relationship with the leaders in the business community. He was especially proud of his role in promoting the participation of minorities in the labor movement. Herb was a strong advocate for educating labor leaders and was instrumental in the establishment of the Georgia State University Labor Studies Program and chaired the Georgia State University Labor Studies Program Advisory Council. Herb was a “yellow dog” Democrat through and through. He was a member of the Fulton County Democratic Committee, the State Democratic Committee and the Democratic National Committee. He served as delegate to each Democratic National Convention from 1972 to 2000 and was an elector on the ballot for U.S. President in 1992. Herb was an avid supporter and worker in the “peanut brigade” for Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaigns. Herb served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the AFL-CIO Appalachian Council; Treasurer of the Southern Labor School; Member of the Board of Directors for the Southern States Apprenticeship Conference; and as President of the Southeastern Regional Council of Carpenters. He broadened the influence of organized labor by serving as Chairman for the Georgia Trade Union Council for Histadrut; Chairman of the Georgia Labor Committee for U.S. Savings Bonds; Trustee for the Georgia Council on Economic Education; Executive Committee member of The Council on Occupational Education Commission; and Trustee of Truett-McConnell College. Herb was actively involved with various local and national charities including the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon; Board member for the United Way; President of the local chapter of the Leukemia Society and a Trustee of the National Board; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross; Board of Visitors for Grady Hospital; and member of the Board of Directors for the Martin Luther King Center for Social Change. In 1963, Herb started Dallas Memory Gardens, a perpetual care cemetery in Paulding County, GA. He continued to operate the cemetery in his “spare” time until he sold the business shortly before his death. Several Georgia governors recognized Herb’s talents and leadership, appointing him to serve as a member of the following state agencies: Judicial Nominating Committee; State Employment Security Agency Advisory Council; State Compensation Board; and the Advisory Council for the Georgia State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee. Herb also served the government of Fulton County as Chairman of the Personnel Board and as a member of the Fulton County Ethics Board. In 1999 he was named in Georgia Trend magazine as one of Georgia’s most powerful and influential Georgians. Herb was a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs and a member of the Sandy Springs Masonic Lodge. Funeral services will be held at 11::00 p.m. on Friday, September 23 at the First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs. Dr. Terry Quick and Dr. Kenneth Link will officiate. Burial will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs. Visitation will be on Thursday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 at Sandy Springs Chapel. Memorial contributions may be sent to First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs, 650 Mt. Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.