Gregory Lenior Fairbanks was born on October 6, 1966, to the late Mr. Willie B. Fairbanks and Maggie Lee Daniels in Shellman, Georgia.

Gregory received his formal education from Randolph-Clay High School, graduating as part of the Class of '86. He continued his education at the Southwest Georgia Fire Academy, where he became a Certified Firefighter. Through the ranks, Gregory became the Fire Chief of the Cuthbert Fire Department, serving for over 30 years while training several individuals under his leadership.

Gregory accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age at Mt. Avery Baptist Church in Shellman, Georgia. Later in life, he joined New Mt. Cilla Non-Denominational Church in Carnegie, Georgia, under the leadership of Pastor Richard Hall Jr. Gregory was a faithful member until his health began to decline.

In his free time, Gregory loved to fish with his sons, grandchildren, and his brother Sheriff Eddie L. Fairbanks. He was a dedicated member of Purity Lodge #93, where he held many positions and represented his brothers with pride and dignity. “The Myth, The Man, and The Legend.”

On August 5, 1989, Gregory was married to Jennifer Z. Murphy, his high school sweetheart, and they enjoyed 37 years of marriage. There were two sons from this union: Schaterious L. Fairbanks (Sparkle) of Savannah, Georgia, and Camarious D. Fairbanks (Olivia) of Albany, Georgia. He had five grandchildren: Caiden Cole Fairbanks, Tiah L. Fairbanks, Megan Dumas, Erian V. Fairbanks, and Christian D. Fairbanks, whom he loved dearly.

Gregory is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie B. Fairbanks; his grandmother, Rosa Mae Fairbanks; and his brother, Willie Walter Fairbanks.

Gregory leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Jennifer Fairbanks; his sons, Schaterious Fairbanks and Camarious D. Fairbanks; and his sisters and brothers: Ann Mathis of Tallahassee, Florida; Rose Mac Jones of Morgan, Georgia; Robert and Eva Fairbanks; Kenneth and Narita Fairbanks; and Freddie and Sabrina Fairbanks, all of Albany, Georgia. Sheriff Eddie L. Fairbanks of Cuthbert, Georgia, also survives him.

He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and friends, including two special friends: Ms. Sandi Nurse, who cared for him, and Ms. Victoria Tobi Prince, the first Black female firefighter for the City of Cuthbert, whom he trained.