Wendell Carney, 47, of Quitman, Mississippi, passed away on August 9, 2026, at
his residence.
He was born on July 5, 1979, to Bobby Joe Carney, Sr. and Sara (Schrimpshire)
Beckman in Wayne County, Mississippi.
Wendell was a longtime and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Quitman,
Mississippi, where his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, was at the center of his life and
service. He served the church in many roles, including as a deacon and musician.
Wendell possessed an extraordinary musical talent and was especially gifted at playing
both the piano and organ. Music was one of his greatest passions and one of the most
meaningful ways he expressed his faith and ministered to others. Whether
accompanying worship, playing special music, or simply sitting at the keyboard and
sharing the talent God had given him, Wendell’s music reflected both his remarkable
ability and his love for the Lord.
His Christian faith guided the way he lived, the way he cared for others, and the way he
loved his family and friends.
Wendell was a servant at heart and devoted much of his life to caring for others. His
calling to healthcare began as a registered nurse and grew into a distinguished career
as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner. He earned an
Associate Degree in Nursing (2000) from Meridian Community College, a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing (2012) from William Carey University, and a Master of Science in
Nursing (2013) from Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing,
where he completed both the Emergency Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse
Practitioner programs. His education and professional preparation allowed him to care
for patients across the lifespan and in some of their most critical moments.
Throughout his career, Wendell served patients in primary care, emergency medicine,
urgent care, and other healthcare settings throughout Mississippi and beyond. His
experience included emergency and trauma care, family practice, pediatrics, women’s
health, and care for vulnerable populations. He also served as an Allied Health and
Adult Education Instructor with the Quitman School District, giving him another
opportunity to teach, encourage, and invest in others. In later years, his work included
primary care in his hometown of Quitman through NP House Calls & Primary Care,
emergency care at Anderson Regional, and service through the University of Mississippi
Medical Center Tele Emergency Program.
Caring for people was more than a profession to Wendell. It was an extension of who he
was. He had a genuine desire to help others, offer comfort when it was needed, and
make a difference in the lives of those entrusted to his care. His commitment to others
was recognized throughout his career. He was named Registered Nurse of the Year at
H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital in 2008, recognized as a Developing Nurse Leader by
the Mississippi Nurses Association in 2011, and honored in 2019 as Best Medical
Provider in Clarke County through the Clarke County Tribune’s Best of the Best Awards.
These recognitions reflected what his patients, colleagues, and community already
knew about the care and dedication he brought to his profession.
Away from his work, Wendell enjoyed caring for his animals and helping his boys and
others with their 4 H projects. He took great pleasure in watching young people learn,
grow, and take pride in their accomplishments and was always willing to share his time
and knowledge with them.
Wendell also found great joy in traveling. Whether traveling overseas on mission trips or
taking his family to the mountains, he appreciated the opportunity to experience new
places and see the beauty of God’s creation. For Wendell, the greatest part of those
journeys was not simply where he went, but who was beside him. He loved seeing new
things through the eyes of the people he cared about and sharing those experiences
and memories with his family and friends. The opportunity to experience something
meaningful was made even more special to Wendell when he could share it with those
he loved.
Above all, Wendell loved his family and friends deeply. He shared a particularly special
bond with his mother, Sara, whose love, sacrifice, and steadfast devotion helped shape
the man he became. Wendell often expressed his love and gratitude for the many
sacrifices she made for him throughout his life, and he never took for granted the
strength, encouragement, and unconditional love she gave him.
He cherished the life he shared with Meridith and the family they built together. He held
many titles throughout his life, including son, husband, brother, friend, caregiver,
musician, and servant, but his most treasured title and greatest honor was to be called
“Deddy.” His love for his sons, Levi and Silas, was evident in the life he lived, the time
he gave them, the experiences he shared with them, and the tremendous pride he took
in being their father. Of all the things Wendell accomplished and all the lives he touched,
being their Daddy held a place in his heart unlike any other.
Wendell is survived by his wife, Meridith Carney; sons, Levi Carney and Silas Carney;
mother, Sara (Timothy) Beckman; brother, Bobby Joe (Ellen) Carney, Jr.; sister, Tammy
(Scotty) Lucas; aunt, Angie Nichols; cousin, Brooke Nichols; cousin, Wendy M.
(Anthony) Turner; nephew, Trey (Ayden Grace) Carney; best friend, Jason Dedwylder;
mother and father-in-law, Chips and Karen Shepherd; brother-in-law, McElvin (Jessica)
Shepherd and nieces Kenzie and Sydney; special aunt, Debbie (Kevin) McCarra; and
several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Joe Carney, Sr.; paternal grandmother,
Lillie Carney; maternal grandmother, Estelle Edwina Neal; uncle, Mike Schrimpshire;
and several aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and
Friday, August 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. at First Baptist Church of
Quitman, Mississippi.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist
Church of Quitman with Rev. Dennis Coats, Rev. Gary Morris, and Rev. Matthew
Johnson officiating.
Burial will take place in East Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Music Ministry or a charity of your
choice. Online condolences may be given at www.wrightsfuneral.com.
Submitted by Wright’s Funeral Home
