T. Burton Wight, Jr.

Mr. Thomas Burton Wight, Jr. passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2024, at Magnolia Manor of Marion County. A graveside funeral service will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Buena Vista Cemetery with Rev. Jeremy Alexander and Rev. Deborah Wight-Knight officiating. The family will greet friends after the service in the Fellowship Hall of Buena Vista Methodist Church. 

Burton Wight was born in Buena Vista, Georgia, to Virginia Williams Wight and Thomas Burton Wight on May 9, 1931. He was a lifelong resident of Marion County except for the time he completed his high school studies at Emory at Oxford and his college education at Emory University, and during his service in the US Army. 

In 1955, on a blind date in Americus, he met the true love of his life, Jo Phillips. They married in April 1956, and they made their home and raised their sons in Buena Vista.  

Burton worked in the family businesses Wight Motor Company and T B Wight Oil Company for his entire business career. But he also made time to serve in many organizations in support of his community. He was a member and served in leadership of Buena Vista Cemeteries, Inc, Marion County Historical Society and Pasaquan Preservation Society, Buena Vista Lions Club and League 27 Youth Baseball. He served several terms on the Buena Vista City Council and was a longtime member of the Buena Vista Housing Authority. He was also a longtime member and supporter of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the Friends of the State Botanical Garden. 

He was also a lifelong and active member of the Buena Vista United Methodist Church, and his faith was strong. He served in various leadership positions, and he and Jo especially enjoyed working with youth. He also chaired the campaign to raise funds for and have built the fellowship hall/office addition to the church. 

Burton was a wonderful and loving husband, son, father, brother, uncle and friend, and he will be sorely missed by many. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Phillips Wight, his parents, his sister Caroline Wight McDaniel (“Sister”) and brother William Lawrence Wight (“Buddy”), and many dear friends. He is survived by his sons Thomas Burton Wight III and Steven Phillips Wight (Dawn), his grandchildren Thomas Meeks (Claudio), Thad Meeks (Carol) and Tiffany Meeks, and by his nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom he loved dearly. 

Tom and Steve want to thank several wonderful people who were important to his life and care over the past several years: Beverly Harris Robinson, Roger Times, Gloria Kelly, Martha Fowler and Peggy Hughey. They also greatly appreciate the loving care of the people at Magnolia Manor Marion County, Gentiva Hospice and numerous close friends. 

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in memory of Burton to Buena Vista Cemeteries, Inc. (P O Box 129, Buena Vista, GA 31803) or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Way-Watson Funeral Home, 1052 Dr. Deryl Hart Road, Buena Vista, Georgia has been entrusted with these arrangements.