ATLANTA - In a world where some step in quietly, Louis Laney III, affectionately known as Big Lou and Chucky, was never one of those. His booming voice, infectious laughter, and larger-than-life personality echoed through every room, turning heads and sparking smiles. As the eldest sibling/cousin, the unofficial family commander, Louis was a force of nature. He made his presence known everywhere he went. In truth, those who knew him wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Born on July 3, 1956, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Louis Laney Jr. and Katherine Laney, Louis embraced life with open arms. A proud 1974 graduate of South High School, he kicked off his career at U.S. Steel. Louis grew into a man who valued hard work, family, laughter, and loyalty. Life whisked him from Youngstown to Columbus and finally to Atlanta, where he landed at Delta Air Lines, retiring in 2007 and leaving behind a legacy of dedication in the skies.

Louis was a man of faith, finding his home at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church under Elder William Homes Robinson, where he was baptized and united in the works of ministry at the church in 1992.

Life’s simple pleasures filled Louis' heart such as traveling, cheering for Ohio sports teams like the Browns & the Cavs, jamming to good music, sharing laughs over poker games with friends and trying to figure out the latest Apple gadgets. Louis had a way with words, always starting with, “Sooo…”- “which usually meant advice was coming, a story was unloading, or somebody was about to get lovingly corrected.

Celebrating Louis means cherishing the endless laughter, the shared wisdom, and that unmistakable voice filled with love. Family was his greatest treasure, a legacy reflected in the bonds he forged with his brothers, Lorne (Alisa) Laney and Lamar Laney, his sister Kim Laney, his daughter Retha (Arthur) Hill, and his beloved grandsons, Derrick “DJ,” Ryan, and Braydon- each bringing him pride and joy, like stars shining in his sky.

Louis passed away on April 29, 2026, in Memphis TN and was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and his brother Larry Laney. A life like Louis cannot be measured only by time, but by the memories he leaves in all of us. If he were here right now, he’d probably clear his throat and say, “Sooo… what y’all doing now?”

Let us gather to keep the essence of Louis alive and vibrant, sharing loving memories- the greatest gift he left in our hearts. We celebrate more than the years Louis lived. We celebrate the laughs, the stories, the wisdom, the voice, the music, the card games, the sports debates and the love he gave in his own unforgettable way.

Join us as we honor and honor the life of Louis on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The public viewing will begin at Jaylex Event Center, 2110 Glenwood Ave., at 10:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am with Apostle Justin Burnett, Standing in the Gap Ministries serving as the celebrant.

Additionally, there will be an 11:00 am Memorial Service on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, 877 Hyw-314 N, Fayetteville, Ga where his extended family and friends will gather to honor his life, laughter, and legacy.

After a committal ceremony, Louis will ultimately be laid to rest with his mother among the meadows of Tod Homestead Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave., Youngstown.

At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Louis Laney III elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 330.782.8500.