Mr. Charles Wayne Mariner, Jr., also known as Pokey, age 39, died Friday evening, March 14, 2014, at a residence in rural Lawrence County. Services for Mr. Mariner were held on Saturday, March 22 at New Zion MB Church, with Pastor Ronnie Mackabee officiating, and Rev. Adrian Smith delivering the eulogy. Interment was in the New Zion Church Cemetery with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Mariner was the oldest of five children born to Charles W. Mariner and Minnie J. Smith Mariner in Detroit, MI. At an early age his family relocated back to the Oakvale area of Jefferson Davis County, and he joined the New Zion Church and remained a member until his death.

Mr. Mariner graduated in 1993 from Prentiss High. He played both basketball and football, prior to earning an Associate of Arts degree in masonry, from Pearl River Community College while continuing to play football.

Mr. Mariner worked most of his adult life offshore as a driller, proving to be a great provider and solid family man, after marrying T.C. and caring for his two stepdaughters.

Mr. Mariner’s survivors include his mother, Minnie Joyce Mariner of Oakvale; his father, Charles Wayne Mariner, Sr. of Oakvale; one son, Demarko Hall of Carson; one daughter, Olivia Bourne of Oakvale; three sisters, Kenya (Danny) Travis of Hattiesburg, Shanekia Mariner of Oakvale, and Trenese Gresham of Detroit, MI; and one brother, Travis Mariner of Oak Grove.