2013

Thomas Williams Carson UNION -Ser vices for Thomas Williams Carson will be held Friday, at 11 a.m., in the sanctuary of Clark-Venable Baptist Church in Decatur, where he was a member, with Rev. Mark Vincent officiating. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery with Milling Funeral Home of Union in charge of arrangements. Mr. Carson, 57, passed away Monday, May 6, 2013, at Baptist Medical Center. The son of a U.S. diplomat, Tom was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil and later lived in Mexico, Spain and Italy. A 1973 grad– uate of Forrest Sherman High School in Napl~s. Italy, he continued his education at East Central Junior College in Decatur, where he received his associate's degree, was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and met his wife. He went on to attend Delta State University where he received his bachelor's and master's in music education. Mter graduation, he and Brenda worked at Parklane Academy for four years after which they both accepted positions at East Central Junior College. Returning to ECJC was like coming home for the Carsons, as they hiid both attended the school and fell in love while students there. In his first year at EC, Tom was Director of Bands with a total of 17 band members. He was a two-time secretary, vice president, and president of the Mississippi Community and Junior College Band Directors' Association. His past honors include ECCC Instructor of the Year, Lamplighter Partici– pant, HEADWAE Instructor of the Year, and Humani– ties Instructor of the Year. In April of 2013, he was honored as Delta State University's Music Alumnus of the Year. Throughout his career, he saw the band program reach over 180 students. Tom wore many hats at East Central including director of the Wall 0' Sound marching band, director of the Collegians, director of the jazz band, Spanish teacher, and Fine Arts Chair. Beside his love of music, his favorite part of being a band director was interaction with stu– dents. Carson loved students and accepted them for who they were. He believed that everyone had potential for great things in their own way. He met them where they were and gave them encourage– ment and sometimes a push when they needed it. In addition to his work at East Central, Tom was active in the community and with his church, and he served for one year as interim music director at Clarke-Venable. He retired from East Central in June of 2012 due to his continuing battle with esophageal cancer, but he returned part-time in October of 2012 as director of the Collegians. Throughout his life– time, his wit, humor and smile served him well, even in times of pain and hurt. His personality was a shining light for everyone that came in contact with him. Most importantly, he loved his family very much and was so proud of all of the accomplish· ments of his wife and children while enjoying his newest title of "Granddaddy." Survivors include his loving wife of 35 years, Brenda Branning Carson of Decatur; son, Christo– pher Carson and his wife Wendy and their daugh– ters, Isabella and Fiona of Hattiesburg; daughter, Jennifer Carson and her fiance Grayson Timidaiski, both of Hattiesburg; son, Jeremy Carson of Decatur; brother, Charles Carson and his wife Marsha of Col– orado; brother, James Winston Carson and his wife Penny of Pennsylvania; brother, Peter of Conehatta; three nephews and two nieces; brother-in-law, Keith Branning and his wife Carol of Ridgeland; and mother-in-lllw. F'rllnces Branning of Philadelphia.

He is.precedecfin death by his parents, Charles and Connth Carson. + The family would like to thank Drs. Phillip Ley, Grace Shumaker, Mike McMullan, Margaret Wadsworth, and the staff of Mississippi Baptist Health Systems for their loving care of Tom throughout his illness. . Memorials may be made to Clarke-Venable Bap– tist Chu~ch, the East Central Community College Foundatwn, or to any organization that promotes cancer awareness. Visitation will be today, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Clark-Venable Baptist Church. NESHOBA DEMOCRAT - - ---- SCOTT COUNTY TIMES --- --- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL --- CLARION-LEDGER - - - --- - -