Larry Wayne Middleton, of Columbia, Mississippi, passed from this life into God’s presence on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the age of 77. He was born in Webster County, Mississippi to Wayne and Ruby Middleton and was raised in Drew, Mississippi. Larry loved to tell people that he spent time in Parchman. Actually, he grew up living on the grounds of the prison where his father worked. Moving to Columbia his sophomore year, Larry graduated from Columbia High School. He attended Pearl River Community College and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1967 with a degree in marketing. After graduation, he worked for the W. E. Walker Company and Bill’s Dollar Stores as a buyer. The first retail store that Larry purchased was a clothing store, Brinson and Thornhill. In 1973, he opened Bournes’s Furniture and purchased Colbert and Binson Furniture Company in 1975. His last acquisition was in 1989 when he purchased Super Discount Furniture. Larry worked in the furniture business for 45 years and was an active member of the Rotary Club. He was also a man of faith and served his community and his Lord through his membership with Columbia Presbyterian Church where he served as the Sunday School Director, Deacon, and Elder. He enjoyed hunting and time on his tractor. Mostly, Larry will be remembered for the love and devotion that he had for his wife, son, and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Robinson. Larry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Middleton; his son, Drew Middleton and his wife, Whitney; and three grandchildren, Russ Middleton, Meg Middleton, and Jane Ramsey Middleton.
There will be a visitation for Larry at Columbia Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 2, 2023 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm. The funeral service, officiated by Reverend Caleb Cangelosi, will be at the church on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 11:00pm where friends may visit with the family from 10:00am until service time. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.
