Jeffrey Richard Guinness

Jeffrey "Jeff" Richard Guinness, 62, of Decatur, Georgia, passed away on October 13, 2026, at Emory University Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1964 to William and Helen Guinness. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1982, where he played soccer and excelled in the high jump. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Carolina in 1986.

A gifted painter, musician, and songwriter, Jeff amazed many with his talents. He was a master of the stringed instrument, playing acoustic and electric guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin and ukulele.

He performed with many bands in Columbia and Atlanta, his eventual home. The band Dragline was the most notable of his ventures. The band members even produced some CDs of their surf/rock genre of music.

In addition to his love of music and art, Jeff loved to cook. He considered himself especially proficient with an outdoor grill. He enjoyed making food for others, especially his beloved wife, Kelley. He relished the outdoors and spent most of his leisure time at the beach or in the mountains. As a younger lad, Jeff camped and hiked with his family in the Appalachian Mountains and other places.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Kelley Ann Durst; his mother, Helen Guinness; his brother, James Guinness (and wife Eva) of Atlanta; sister‑in‑law Julie Ward of Washington, D.C.; nephew Stuart Raymond Durst of Washington, D.C.; niece Abigail Anna Durst of Chicago, Illinois; and cousins Tom Roberts of Galveston, Texas and Gary Roberts of Buellton, California. He was preceded in death by his father, William Guinness, and his sister, Karen Guinness.

A Celebration of Jeff's Life will be held at Petite Violette in Atlanta on November 14, 2026; additional details are forthcoming and will be shared with family and friends.

A memorial service will also be held at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, 421 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, South Carolina on November 20, 2026 at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in memory of Jeff to the Support Greg Germani Fund (www.gofundme.com/f/support-greg-germani); or the Atlanta Community Food Bank (www.acfb.org).