Michael Reid Lary, 27, of Madison, MS, went into the arms of Jesus on Monday, December 19th, 2016. He passed away from the struggle of the disease of drug addiction. Services will be held Friday, December 23rd, 2pm at Wilson and Knight Funeral Home in Greenwood, MS, with visitation from 11am until service time. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, MS.
Michael was born on December 21st, 1988 in Jackson, MS. His parents are Linda Stafford and William Lacy Lary III of Greenwood. Michael was a 2007 graduate of Pillow Academy, as well as a graduate of Ole Miss where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was also a member of North Greenwood Baptist Church.
While in recovery, Michael was asked to reflect on his life and write down what he would put in his obituary. "He loved his family. He always treated people the way he wanted to be treated. He loved his heavenly father more than anything in his life. He never met a stranger and after a conversation with him, he made you feel like you knew him your whole life. While facing his many demons he persevered until he could no longer. While the devil's demons were in his life on earth, he is finally at peace with God and His angels in paradise. Let Michael's death not be in vain, but be a reminder to all those with the same disease, that sometimes one must die in order for others to live. He learned more from one of his failures than ten of his successes. He is now in peace for eternity and his thorns have finally been removed."
Michael loved children, nature, hunting, and photography.
He is survived by his loving family: his parents; sisters, Nadia Lary of Memphis, TN, Memrie Lary McGovern of Memphis, TN, Danielle Matthews (Ryan) of Madison, MS, and Maury Tucker of Greenwood; brother, William Lacy Lary IV of Greenwood, paternal grandparents, Rose Mary and Bill Lary; aunts, Janie Bond of Brandon,MS, Doris Stafford Constantino (Orville Norton) of Nashville, TN, Carol Stafford Nix of Madison, MS, and Rose Mink (Jeff) of Collierville, TN; uncles, Bryant Lary (Carrie) of Greenwood, and Michael Lary (Nicki) of Greenwood, MS; great uncle, Lloyd Stafford (Carole) of Melbourne, FL; special friend, Amber Isonhood of Madison, MS, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Richard and Norma Stafford.
Pallbearers will be Bryan Goss, Tyler Counts, Will Belk, Patrick Bain, John Michael Belk, and Wesley Hill. Honorary pallbearers will be Stewart Thach, Rob Holliday, Jeff Driscoll, Kip Clark, Will Brunson, Myers Falls, Scott Mink, Billings Ruleman, James Jefferson, Hunter Pigeon, and Gregory Sandifer. Dr. Jim Phillips will officiate services.
The family encourages anyone who wants to help fight the disease of addiction to donate to the Arms of Mercy, P.O. Box 4691, Greenville, MS, 38704. Wilson and Knight is in charge. An online guestbook may be signed at WilsonandKnight.com.