Luther William Ausburn

Mr. Luther W. Ausburn, age 100, of Reno, Georgia, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026, at his daughter's home in Monticello, Georgia. Services for Mr. Ausburn will be held at Reno Baptist Church, 159 Pine Hill Road, Cairo, Georgia (Reno Community), 2:00 pm, Monday, January 19, 2026. His son, the Rev. James Ausburn will officiate. Interment will follow in the Cairo City Cemetery. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends one hour before the service, beginning at 1:00 pm.

Luther William Ausburn was born September 10, 1925, in Cairo, Georgia, to James Alexander Ausburn and Ivey Delilah Bryant Ausburn. Even as a child, he loved to go fishing; maybe that got him away from his 11 brothers and sisters. He had outlived all 13 children born to his parents. He grew up with a keen wit and strong desire to work. He met Pearl Stamps and when he was ready to marry, he went all the way to New York to get his Pearl (his “Dolly”). They married in 1950 and shared 71 years of life together. Pearl died December 20, 2021, leaving a broken-hearted Luther to join her later. Mr. Ausburn joined the U.S. Army during World War II and was a highly decorated veteran.

Luther was able to be part of an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. This transports veterans to see the memorials dedicated to their respective war. It was an honor and great privilege, and he loved being a part of this.

Luther worked for many years at R. R. Vanlandingham, Mistletoe Plantation and Crew Motors. He was a talented mechanic and could repair most anything. Later, he worked as a night watchman for the City of Cairo. He was a longtime member of Reno Baptist Church. Mr. Ausburn filled the “father” role for more than his own children. Luther loved being with his family and dearly enjoyed family reunions. He also enjoyed watching wrestling. A smart, thoughtful man, he has been a fine example of what a wonderful husband and father should be. He served his county and his community. Luther Ausburn will be impossible to replace and has now joined his Dolly.

Luther William Ausburn is survived by his children, Barbara Sue Edwards and husband, Mervin of Reno, Sarah Ward of Monticello, Georgia, and James (Jimmy) Ausburn and wife, Bobbie of Cairo; grandchildren, Derek Edwards, Angela Barrineau, Sam Ward, Shannon Ward (Tabitha), Shane Ward (Tina), Suzanne Ward (John Smith), Laura Burgess (Charles), and Joshua Ausburn (Tammi); 23 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; and a multiple nieces and nephews who thought the world of him. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Eva Clyde Ausburn Kelley, George Pascal Ausburn, James Arthur Ausburn, John Daniel Ausburn, Annie Elizabeth Ausburn Palmer, Archibald Butt Ausburn, Anderson Eugene Ausburn, Maggie Eula Ausburn Maxwell, Ivey Van (Bo) Ausburn, Alice Mae Ausburn Harrison, and Polly Lois Ausburn Kincaid; an infant brother and sister; son, Benjamin Luther Ausburn, and son-in-law, Sammy Ward; great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kaylee Edwards.

Memorial donations in honor of Mr. Ausburn may be sent to Tallahassee Honor Flight, P. O. Box 12033, Tallahassee, Florida 32317 or Reno Baptist Church, 159 Pine Hill Road, Cairo, Georgia 39828.

Online condolences may be sent at www.coxiveyfuneralhome.com. Cox-Ivey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.