Donald Lea Carlisle

Donald Lea Carlisle was born on December 20, 1935 on Earl Street in McComb. He departed this earthly life to join his Lord and Savior on January 11, 2026.

Visitation will be Friday January 16, 2026 from 11AM until services at 1PM at Hartman-Jones Funeral Home of McComb. Dr. David Millican will officiate and burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery.

He was married to the love of his life Bettye Lou Lang Carlisle for 66 years. Donald was a longtime member of South McComb Baptist Church where over the years he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher and a Mentor to teens and adults.

He practiced his Christianity everyday whether at home, at work or in his community. Donald would lend a helping hand to friends and new acquaintances alike. He would provide an encouraging word, repair your car, rebuild your house, give you a ride or buy you some groceries.

Donald worked all his life beginning his first job at 8 years old at his Dad's service station. He became a "Mr. Fixer". He joined the National Guard at 16 and served 6 years. At 23 he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Seymore Johnson AFB in North Carolina. He was deployed overseas to Japan and Okinawa. He also served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He returned to McComb in 1963 and began working for the Enterprise Journal until his retirement at the age of 87.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Percy Lea and Ina Lea Carlisle.

He is survived by his wife, Bettye Lou Lang Carlisle; his son, Keith Carlisle and wife Renee; his grandson, Britt Carlisle and wife Meeka; great-grandchildren, Keegan Carlisle, Reece Carlisle and Gracyn Carlisle; and his sister Frances "Pete" Reeves and many nieces and nephews.