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July 14, 1942 – Jan. 13, 2024

NATCHEZ – Funeral services for Richard Teal Mize, Jr., 81, who passed away on Jan. 13, 2024, will be at Laird Funeral Home in Natchez, MS, on Saturday, Jan. 20 with Doug Broome officiating. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at Natchez National Cemetery.

Mr. Mize was born on July 14, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Richard Teal and Lillian Brand Mize. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Neville Woods Mize.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Judy Jones Mize of Natchez; his sister, Vivian Henslee (Richard) of Canton, GA; his brother, Robert Edward Mize (Debbie) of Kennesaw, GA; his son, Brent Edward Squires (Stephanie) and three grandchildren, Justin, Samantha, and Siena Squires of Tampa, FL; sisters-in-law, Cindy Meng (Joe) of Natchez and Jane McCluney (Allen) of Germantown, TN; five nieces and nephews, Wesley McCluney (Kim) of Birmingham, AL; Richard McCluney (Ashley) of Tupelo, MS; and Katie Tillman (Clifford), Sara Greer, and Rob Greer (Laura), all of Mobile. Fondly known as Gramps and Unc, he will be greatly missed.

Richard spent his childhood in Atlanta where he devoted his time to family, church, and sports. His lifelong love of Georgia Tech was the result of his childhood experiences selling peanuts at Grant Field and watching the Yellow Jackets play. From early childhood on, his family attended the Baptist church where Richard began his lifelong spiritual journey. Throughout his life, he was an active member of his church and was well respected as a Sunday school teacher. He studied at Georgia State before joining the Air Force where he flew on supply missions around the world. Following an honorable discharge, he returned to Atlanta where he met and married Judy Jones in 1969. They lived in Atlanta and Charlotte, NC, before Richard began his own company and settled back in Atlanta. He sold his company in 1983 and later retired to St. Augustine, FL, where he loved having time for travel, golf, family, and the study of God’s word.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Rob Greer, Allen McCluney, Dr. Richard McCluney, Wesley McCluney, Joe Meng, Justin Squires, and Clifford Tillman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Geter, Gary Holloway, Richard Lambert, George Maxwell, Terry Perkins, Spencer Stutzman, and Charles Stephens.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 150 D’Evereux Drive, Natchez, MS 39120, or the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Cancer Center and Research Institute, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.