Jan. 13, 1953 – Jan. 21, 2019

NATCHEZ — Services for Rueben Thomas “Tom” Carney, 66, of Vidalia, who died Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, after a long, hard fought, fierce battle with cancer, will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Chase Weeks officiating.     
Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 10:30 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.
After serving his country in the U.S. Air Force, Tom became a very successful business man and, to most, a local celebrity. His legacy will be unfading, as his life was lived in a way that continually contributed to the betterment of those around him and within his community. He truly possessed a special gift, as Tom loved everyone and everyone loved Tom.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard M. “RM” Carney; his mother, Mary Sue Carney Miller; three sisters, Sandra Carney Davis, Betty S. Ferrington and Brenda D. Miller; and two brothers, Richard “Ritchie” M. Carney Jr. and Barry W. Carney.
Survivors include his wife and high school sweetheart, Deborah S. Carney; two sons, Chris Carney and wife, Jessica, and Kyle Holzhalb and wife, Haley, all of Natchez; three daughters, Stephanie Carney Wheeler of Morgantown, Ann Carney of Ferriday and Carlee Holzhalb of Houston; one sister, Camille Kyzar and husband, Paul, of Natchez; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Walter Brown, Bubba Crofford, Steve Weeks, Tyler Wheeler, Scotty McCommons, Sonny Lees and Ricky Rowlin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.