Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Theodore (Ted) Eugene Carley, Jr., 89, of Columbia, who passed away Friday, February 23, 2024 at Asbury Hospice House. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Dr. Bryant Barnes and Bro. Tom Thurman will officiate the services. Amy Carley and Sarah Kendrick will provide special music. Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Hathorn Funeral Home.

Ted was born in Marion County on September 30, 1934 to Nina Virginia Carley and Ted E. Carley Sr. He attended and graduated from McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN 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 where he served in several capacities. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for over 55 years, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and director, sang in the choir, and served as a deacon. 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 pine cones during every season of the year. Ted 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, his mild manner, his 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; Sister, Patricia Patrick.

He is survived by his Spouse, Geraldine (Jerry) Dale Carley of Columbia, MS; 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 will be Justin Rathke, Nicholas Rathke, Tadd Carley, Hays Carley, Chuck Rathke, and David Kendrick. Honorary pallbearers will be 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

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com