CHARLESTON — Denis Michael “Mike” Callender died peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, Friday, March 22, at Baptist Hospital - North Mississippi in Oxford.
Services will be held Saturday, April 6, at First Baptist Church located at 178 George Payne Cossar Blvd., Charleston. Visitation will be from 2 - 3 p.m. with the service beginning at 3 p.m.
He was born in Tallahassee, Florida to Douglas and Doris Callender on March 29, 1946.
Mike spent the majority of his youth in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Murrah High School as a standout athlete in football and baseball. He attended his beloved Louisiana State University where he served as head athletic manager before entering the National Guard. During his time in the National Guard, he graduated from his basic training first in class. He graduated college from Mississippi State University.
He began his professional career with Mississippi Power and Light, after several years he began buying mineral rights as a landman for several oil companies. At the age of 40, he became an entrepreneur opening several small businesses and finished his career as a rural mail carrier in Charleston.
Mike was a life long Catholic and attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Charleston. Mike was an avid fisher, hunter and sports fan. He also loved to travel and be with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Glenna Houston Callender; his children and their spouses, Christopher and Janna Jennings, Shannon and Steve Brown, and Douglas and Kristen Callender; his sisters and their spouses, Delaine and Robert “Buddy” Gardner and Donna Herring. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Avery Jennings, Caden Jennings, Garrison Toole, Katie Toole, Ava Callender and Isabelle Callender.
In lieu of flowers the family requests you please consider donations to Charleston Recovery Center, PO Box 1166, Charleston, MS 38921 or St. John’s Catholic Church, 304 West Cypress St, Charleston, MS 38921.
