Brandon; Magnolia
Funeral Home
Visitation
NA
Service
A private memorial service will be held for family members and close friends.
Obituary
<strong>Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:</strong>
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on Oct 18, 2024 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant First Class Micheal McDaniel “Mack” Honea, age 76, who had served within the 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, visitation, and services:
Micheal McDaniel “Mack” Honea, age 76, of Magnolia and Brandon, Mississippi, passed away on October 18, 2024, from a brief neuromuscular illness.
Mack was born Feb 5, 1948, in Magnolia, Mississippi, the son of Morris and Mary [Cutrer] Honea.
He graduated from South Pike High School in 1966. He also graduated from the University of Mississippi, earning his bachelor’s degree. Mack married Linda [James] Honea 53 years ago, in Pearl, Mississippi.
He was known for his outgoing personality and would often say, “That reminds me of a story.” He lived a life that led to the telling of many stories from growing up on a dairy farm to playing high school football to his many professional endeavors. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard, as Sergeant First Class E7 of the 155th Mechanized Infantry. He worked as a junior high science teacher and high school football coach at South Pike, in Magnolia, MS, for 22 years, leading the South Pike Eagles to 189 wins and only 49 losses including 2 South State 4A Championships, and 2 State 4A Championships. He finished his coaching career at Brandon High School. After his retirement from coaching, he worked as a supervisor for a commercial and residential construction company. His true passion was his hobby of volunteer construction work with the Mississippi Nail Benders, a group that builds churches and church facilities. He was a leader in this group, organizing countless teams and traveling to at least 24 states and 3 other countries on approximately 130 trips from 1983 to 2024.
He was an active member of Brandon Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday School teacher and deacon and served on many committees.
He and his wife traveled as a hobby. He visited all 50 states and over 30 countries. He loved people and never met a stranger. In his final month in the hospital, he enjoyed visits from many dear friends and family members.
Remaining to cherish Mack’s memory are his spouse, Linda; daughters Kate Honea Free (Shane) and Patricia Honea Stewart (Jay); and granddaughters, Vivian and Holland. He is also survived by four brothers: Tom Honea of Manning, South Carolina; Gene Honea of Raleigh, North Carolina; George Honea of Magee, Mississippi; and his identical twin brother, Jack Honea, of Magnolia, Mississippi.
A private memorial service will be held for family members and close friends.