Theodore “Ted” Eugene Carley Jr.
89, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Hathorn Funeral Home for Theodore “Ted” Eugene Carley Jr., 89, of Columbia, who passed away on Friday, Feb. 23, in Hattiesburg. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Dr. Bryant Barnes and Bro. Tom Thurman officiated at the services. Amy Carley and Sarah Kendrick provided special music. Visitation was held from noon until the time of the services on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Hathorn Funeral Home.
He was born in Marion County on Sept. 30, 1934, to Nina Virginia Carley and Ted E. Carley Sr. He attended and graduated from McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1952, where he participated in tennis and wrestling, earning a Mid-South Wrestling championship title. He attended the University of Mississippi for two years before coming home to work for his father at several Ben Franklin store locations. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of the University Singers and the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He married Geraldine Dale on June 18, 1960, and they made their home in Columbia, where they had their three children, Jennifer, Suzanne and Trey.
He served as commissioner of Dixie Youth Baseball in Columbia during the 1970s and was a member of the Rotary Club, serving in several capacities. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for over 55 years and served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and director and sang in the choir. Most longtime residents of Columbia will remember him as the owner of the Ben Franklin store on Main Street, which burned in 1979. The store had just been stocked full of Christmas items when the fire happened on a fall Wednesday night as nearly the whole town gathered to watch. He went on to operate Carley V&S Variety Store in Hattiesburg until his retirement in 1990. Since his retirement, he has enjoyed attending his grandchildren's various sports and school events, participating in his church duties and choir practice and keeping an impeccable yard. Countless residents will remember seeing him riding his lawn mower on Broad Street or walking around picking up pinecones during every season of the year. He loved his family and his heavenly Father. He was a loyal church member and was devoted to his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, mild manner, dedication to his church, family and friends, his quips of humor, his constant words of encouragement and his steadfast faith.
He was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Eugene Carley Sr.; mother, Nina Virginia Rice Carley; and sister, Patricia Patrick.
Survivors include his spouse, Geraldine “Jerry” Dale Carley of Columbia; son, Trey Carley (Amy); two daughters, Jennifer Rathke (Chuck) and Suzanne Kendrick (David); seven grandchildren, Justin Rathke (Melanie), Nicholas Rathke, Carly Kendrick, Greta Smith (Zac), Tadd Carley, Hays Carley and Sarah Kendrick; two great-grandchildren, Peyton Rathke and Harper Rathke.
Pallbearers were Justin Rathke, Nicholas Rathke, Tadd Carley, Hays Carley, Chuck Rathke and David Kendrick. Honorary pallbearers were Ronnie Herrington, Dr. Tom Whitehead, Richard Davis, Paul Pounds and Eddie Ray Breakfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Asbury Hospice House, 304 S. 40th Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39402.
Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com. Hathorn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
