Tommye Carnes Street

Mary Tommye Carnes Street, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, prayer-warrior, container enthusiast, and collector of friends, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on December 19, 2025, at the age of 92.

Tommye loved the Lord deeply and spoke of Him freely—often to strangers, who never remained strangers for long. She loved a good chin wag and could talk on the phone for hours with friends, listening just as intently in return. Her faith showed up in prayer, in hospitality, and in a sincere interest in the details of other people’s lives.

Known for her favorite phrase, “Oh migration,” borrowed affectionately from her sister, Beverly, Tommye had a way of meeting life with humor and honesty. In her later years, when asked how she was doing, she would smile and say, “I can’t hear, I can’t see, and I can’t chew—but I’m happy.” And she truly was.

Tommye was the youngest of four beautiful and beloved sisters from the Mississippi Delta, and with her passing, the last of the Carnes girls has taken her bow, bringing a beloved era—full of beauty, spirit, laughter and strong opinions—to a graceful close. She remained deeply connected to her sisters throughout her life, carrying their influence and affection with her always.

A natural collector, Tommye gathered friends and kept them, often for a lifetime. She also collected frogs, totes, wrapping paper, bags, and containers of every imaginable kind. Most often in the form of baskets. Lots of baskets. She believed in being prepared, and if you needed something, chances were good it could be found in her purse or one of the many totes she always carried with her.

For decades, Tommye faithfully tended a sourdough starter that quietly ruled her schedule. Plans could be changed and events departed early if the starter needed feeding. Her bread was legendary, as were the handmade gifts she sewed for friends and family—jewelry pouches, glasses cases, bible covers and thoughtful crafts. If you didn’t receive one of those from Tommye, you likely received a warm loaf of bread tucked lovingly into a bread bag.

Tommye was a devoted teacher, known for her firm discipline and tender heart. She expected good behavior and gave hugs freely. Even today, former students remember her end-of-day embraces and the care behind them.

Tommye was a faithful wife. When her husband, Elliot Crawford Street, faced years of declining health and housebound living, Tommye cared for him with unwavering devotion, never leaving his side. She was, by her own admission, slightly aggravated that he went first— “after all, he was younger”—but she remained steadfast until the very end.

Tommye was a hands-on mother who never missed a game or performance, worked tirelessly when money was tight, and taught her children that details matter and responsibilities should be handled with care. She was funny, crafty, and impeccably organized (until motherhood, she liked to say, after which she “didn’t know where anything was.”) Still, her influence was steady and sure.

And Tommye was a proud and doting grandmother. In her eyes, there was nothing Jed Dorrill could not fix, repair, or build, and Carnes Dorrill was the very picture of sweetness and energy. In a remarkable lapse of memory regarding her own strict child-rearing days, Tommye the grandmother insisted their mother be easier on her grandchildren—much to everyone’s amusement. She also loved her honorary granddaughters deeply and took great pride in them, celebrating their accomplishments and holding them close to her heart.

A prayerful servant of her church and a woman whose faith guided every part of her life, Tommye lived what she believed.

Tommye is survived by her daughters, Amelia Carnes Street (Carkuff) and MariElliot Street (Dorrill); her cherished son-in-law, John Dorrill; her grandchildren, Jed and Carnes Dorrill; and the many nieces, nephews, friends, students, teachers, and fellow church members whose lives were made richer by her attention, prayers, and love.

A memorial service will be held at Independent Presbyterian Church on Monday, December 29, 2025, at noon. Visitation will be at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Methodist Hospice Residence, or that you honor Tommye by offering kind hospitality and a warm conversation to someone who needs it.

With that same steady faith, Tommye’s family rejoices that she has gone home to be with the Lord—fully held, deeply loved, and now joyfully reunited in heaven with those she loves who went before. Oh migration.