Larry Ray Houston, 77, of Olive Branch, MS went to be with the Lord on January 23, 2024. Larry was born on June 22, 1946 in Strayhorn, MS to the late Haywood and Linda Houston. He was a graduate of Oak Haven High School. He began working for Century Telephone in 1967 and was with the company for 23 years. After the phone company he went to work with DeSoto County in the animal control department and was instrumental in building up that service and making it what it is today. In his free time, he enjoyed crappy fishing and working in his yard. He was very particular about his grass and flowers. His yard was always pristine. He was also a talented drummer. He began playing at 13 years old. He played with Robert Geeslin and Gene Sullivan and was a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Larry was a believer in Jesus Christ and a member of Meadow Brook Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his sister, Teresa Delashmit; and a brother, William Ernest “Bill” Houston. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janice Gross Houston; daughter, Sandra Houston Hoskins (Mike); son, Shawn Houston (Amy); grandchildren: Will Stull (Rachel), Michael Hoskins, Samantha Hoskins, Daniel Houston (Rose), and Shawna Houston (Hozyer); great-grandchildren: Gatlin Houston, Nolan Houston, and Ani Houston; and two brothers, Scotty Houston and Doyle Houston. Larry loved his family dearly and one of his greatest joys in life was being “Papaw” to his grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Brantley Funeral Home for a time of visitation on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 1-2 pm with a funeral service to begin at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at New Garden Cemetery in Independence, MS.
