LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) — A Southwest Georgia family’s mission to grant their dying father one last wish came full circle before his passing.

Epifanio “Epi” Ibarra, 59, of Leesburg, died Aug. 8 after a months-long battle with terminal lung cancer. But weeks before his death, community support and fundraising made it possible for him to travel back to Mexico to hold his loved ones and say his final goodbyes.

One last trip home

Following his diagnosis, Ibarra’s family launched several fundraising efforts, including a benefit barbecue in Americus, plate sales, and a GoFundMe campaign to cover travel and medical expenses.

His daughter, Elizabeth Carter, said the public support went beyond financial contributions.

“Somebody was like, ‘Hey, we just saw you on the news.’ They were like, ‘We’re praying for you. We hope you make it through. And you’re in our prayers,’” Carter said. “It put a big smile on my dad’s face, for sure, knowing that other people out there saw it and they were praying for him.”

While the family initially considered flying to save time, Ibarra insisted on driving across the country so he could see the sights along the way.

Reuniting with family in Mexico

During the three-week visit, Ibarra spent time sight-seeing, eating home-cooked meals, and visiting with his sisters and cousins, who regularly gathered to pray with him.

“I know it was hard realizing what he was in Mexico for,” Carter said. “Saying bye to everybody and watching it in the back of the glass leaving out, it was really rough. But truly, I’m just happy that he was able to go.”

The family also returned home with a rescue puppy named Poncho, whom they nicknamed “Little Epi.”

Remembering his legacy and cancer awareness

Ibarra was diagnosed in March with stage four non-small cell lung cancer that metastasized to his bones and brain, with doctors giving him 6 to 12 months to live.

Family members remembered him for keeping a positive attitude through his diagnosis and treatments.

“If you knew him, or you know him, or you just passed him on the street, I mean, he was a blessing,” said Ibarra’s son-in-law, James Carter. “I mean, you could feel the positive energy from a mile away with him.”

James Carter added that his father-in-law wanted his journey to serve as an example for others to prioritize their health.

“More than anything, he kind of used that as a teaching moment for others to go get tested,” James Carter said.

The Carters plan to return to Mexico to lay a portion of Ibarra’s ashes to rest with his family and are considering moving there permanently in the future.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X. For more south Georgia news, download the WALB News app and add WALB as a preferred source on Google.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.