Brian Keith McCord was born in Tupelo on Dec. 13, l965 to the late Albert King McCord, Jr. and Carolyn Joan Parker Merriman, who survives. He grew up in this area living in Verona, Nettleton and on the McCord Farm family land in Chesterville. Brian departed this life from his residence in Chesterville on Jan. 19, 2024, after being disabled for several years. He attended Verona Schools and graduated from Shannon High School. An avid Mississippi State Bulldog, he graduated with a degree in Marketing from MSU. A born salesman, Brian owned a Little Debbie distributorship for over 20 years, the most fulfilling job he ever had due to his love of meeting people, getting to know them and sharing his gift of Southern storytelling. He made friends all over Northeast Miss. Brian worked for Dossett Big 4 before becoming disabled. A great practitioner of bird hunting, he loved the outdoors, the wildlife and became an excellent marksman hunting as often as he could. He professionally trained bird dogs for many years, admired all animals and was a wonderful communicator. A Baptist, he found great solace in the solitude of nature through his admiration of all God’s creation. He revered the mentorship of his grandparents, his father Albert and his step father, John Merriman who taught him the virtues of living a simple purposed filled life.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 6 PM Wednesday, January 24, 2024, in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Rev. Kenny McGill officiating. John Luke and Payton, his two sons, will deliver memories during the service. Visitation will be from 4 PM Wednesday until service time, and afterwards. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 6 pm and will be archived thereafter.
Brain is survived by his wife, Cynthia Shields McCord, to whom he married May 1, l998; his sons, John Luke McCord and his wife, Abi of Tupelo and Payton McCord of Fulton; 1 grandchild whom “Gramps” adored and was the light of his life, Dylan Harper McCord (age 4); his mother, 2 sisters, Teresa Nicholson (Darel) of Tupelo and Belinda Owens (Greg) of Nettleton; a brother, Eric McCord of Pontotoc; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, A. K. McCord, Jr., his step father, John Merriman and his grandparents, Albert and Mildred Thomason McCord, and grandmother Maude Marie Parker Cates.
Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Hampton, Rodney Dallas, Jeff McCord, Larry McCord, Eric McCord and Kirk Boyd.
Memorials may be made to Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, P. O. Box 2143, Tupelo, MS. 38802. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
