Joseph "Mike" Sennett Conner Brady Sr.

After a well-fought battle with cancer, Joseph “Mike” Sennett Conner Brady, Sr., 81, of Laurel was called home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 3, 2013. His Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals (Exodus 15:26) took away all the suffering this life on earth had brought. His love for God, his family, and work were his life’s focus. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Laurel, where he faithfully followed God’s leading in ministry, service in the church and was a Deacon for many years. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner and also served in the U. S. Air Force. The love he had for his family was evident to all he encountered. He enjoyed spending time with his family; he always had time for telling a story to his children and grandchildren and sharing a snack or singing a tune to a great-grandchild. Those in the community will remember him best for his work; he began a career in the auto parts industry in the early 1940s working at Robins and Landrum in Laurel, MS. For many years, he was a traveling auto parts salesman serving the area from Raleigh to Richton. In 1971 he purchased the auto parts store that marked the beginning of his career; the store became known as the Universal Auto Parts (NAPA). He actively worked in this business until a week before his passing. In 2005, he opened a second NAPA location in Heidelberg. He has poured his life into these businesses as a lasting legacy for his family and community; this legacy brings comfort knowing that his footprint upon this earth will live on. We trust that as he entered heaven, he heard the words from our Lord in Matthew 25:21, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thou Lord.” Greeting him at the gates of heaven were his parents, Clayton Neil and Edna Corine Brady; his siblings, Tyrus “Bud” Brady, Pat Brady, and Nancy Graham Kepner. Upon his entering heaven, he leaves his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Frances N. Brady; three children, Nancy Blakeney (Wayne) of Taylorsville, Joseph “Joe Mike” Sennett Conner Brady, Jr. (Jena) of Laurel, and Esther Kelley (Steve) of Laurel. Pepaw Brady, fondly referred to as “Peeps” leaves his grandchildren, Jessica Buckhaults (Randall), Joseph “Jody” Sennett Conner Brady, III (Melissa), Jeremy Blakeney, Jillian Brady, and Breana Kelley and his great-grandchildren, Joseph Sennett “Conner” Brady, IV, Noah Buckhaults, and Hannah Buckhaults. He also leaves three loving sisters, Mary Collins (A.E., “Ed”), Carolyn Trest, and Nickie Welch and a whole host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation will be held at Memory Chapel in Laurel from 5 until 8 p.m. on Monday. The funeral service will be at Highland Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Tuesday with burial to follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Rev. Gene Douglas will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Joseph S. “Jody” Brady, III, Jeremy Blakeney, Glen Trest, Claytor Lassiter, Mark Roberts, Dana Sanford, and Gerald Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be James Bradford, Bob Herrity, Ray Phillips, Jack Sanders and Bob Stringer. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph "Mike" Sennett Conner Brady Sr.

September 8, 1931 - February 3, 2013