Mr. Varner was born June 25, 1925, to Theodore Roosevelt and Jessie Fant Jackson Varner in Louisville. Louis attended Webster School; Beth Eden School; and Louisville School. He answered the call of his country during World War II by serving in the United States Army attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He proudly served in Company “F” 333RD Engineer Special Service Regiment from October 1943 until his discharge in April 1946. In 1953, he began his career as a Sales Representative for the Coca Cola Bottling Company from which he retired in 1990 after 37 years; and was a member of the Beth Eden Masonic Lodge #205 for 64 years. He enjoyed several interests and hobbies including his church, taking care of others in the community, singing hymns, gardening, and his Masonic Lodge.
Louis is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce Colene Jackson Varner, of Louisville; and his children: Dannell Irving and husband, Jimmy; Jackie Ganann and husband, Billy; Pam Woodson and husband, Barry Fortenberry; Robert Varner and wife, Carolyn Arnett; and Robin Ballard and husband, Chris. One of his greatest joys was being “Dowa” to his fifteen grandchildren: Christopher Michael Stephenson and wife, Amy; Ryan Irving and wife, Whitney; Candace Michelle Stephenson; Kasie Ganann Baxter and husband, Benji; Karla Ganann Raines and husband, Tony Mark; Kylie Ganann Stanford and husband, Brent; Jessica Woodson Wade and husband, Matt; Daniel Thomas Woodson; Lauren Varner Woodson; Brent Louis Varner; Leslie Marie Varner; Bryce Jackson Varner; Dillon Jackson Ballard; Lana Joy Ballard; and Jena Christian Ballard. Also left to mourn the of their “Dowa” is fourteen great-grandchildren: James Nelson Irving, Shepard Jackson Irving, Christopher Dean, Rowan Dean, Henley Baxter, Logan Raines, Karder Raines, Kimber Raines, Bella Stanford, Knox Stanford, Kandler Stanford, Ryan Wade, Lillian Wade, and Paisley Woodson. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Spivy Varner and Willie Olen Varner; and his great-grandson, Mark Raines.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Stephenson, Ryan Irving, Benji Baxter, Tony Mark Raines, Brent Stanford, Daniel Woodson, Matt Wade, Brent Varner, Bryce Varner, Dillon Ballard. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Jean Cooper, Henry (Mott) Cooper, Max Keene, Gary Mayo, Jack Pearson, Donnie Todd, Bud Varner, members of the Faith Sunday School Class, members of the Beth Eden Masonic Lodge #205 Family, and members of Coca Cola Family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to The Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Joyce Varner, 114 Athens Drive, Louisville, MS 39339 or to a charity of your choice.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
