Mr. Hugh White McLarty, 81, died at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016. The funeral service will be held Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with the Rev. Curt Liles officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery in Oxford. The visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, prior to the service from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home.

Born to the late Buford McLarty and Ruby Roberts McLarty of Oxford, Mr. McLarty was a former member of First United Methodist Church in New Albany, and a current member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Oxford. In 1953, he graduated from University High School in Oxford. Mr. McLarty went on to play football at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He married his late wife of 61 years, Shelby Long McLarty, in 1955. He served in the United States Army rising to the rank of Sergeant, First Class. Upon exiting the army, Mr. McLarty finished his Bachelor’s degree in Business at Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis. He began his career at Humble Oil in Charlotte, North Carolina, taking a job with Futorian, Inc. in New Albany. In 1976, Mr. McLarty left Futorian Inc. to start Benchcraft, an upholstered furniture manufacturing company in Blue Mountain. Benchcraft employed and supported many families in Northeast Mississippi. In 1995, Mr. McLarty founded a second furniture company, Albany Industries, Inc. in New Albany, with his wife and three sons, continuing his commitment to the area he loved. At age 65, he retired to devote all of his time to his beloved wife. A truly generous, kind, and humble man, Mr. McLarty touched the lives of many throughout his life and career. He was respected and admired by those who worked with him.

He is survived by his three sons, Michael Lynn McLarty of Myrtle, Mark Alan McLarty of Mooreville, and Richard Hugh McLarty and his wife, Liz, of Memphis, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Jeremy and his wife, Joni McLarty of Myrtle, Grace and Lily McLarty of Memphis, Tennessee, Alex and Anna Cate McLarty of Mooreville; four great grandchildren, Lexi, Cash, Leighton, and Hoyt McLarty, all of Myrtle, and a sister, Rose McLarty of Oxford.

Memorial designation in Mr. McLarty’s memory may be made to Mt. Zion Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2166, Oxford, MS 38655.