David Lee Varnell

David (Dave) Lee Varnell, better known by many as Coach Varnell, passed away December 10, 2025.
Mr. Varnell was born February 27, 1956, in McComb, MS to Charley and Colleen Moak Varnell. After graduating from McComb High School in 1974, he attended Southwest Community College where he also played football. He furthered his education at the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a degree in athletic administration and coaching with a minor in secondary education. Not only did he earn a degree at USM, but he also met and married the love of his life, Carolyn Ross Hood, in June 1978. His love for education carried him back to college to earn a master's degree from USM in 2001. Dave spent most of his career teaching history and coaching football. He began coaching at Purvis High School in 1978. He then moved back to McComb to be an assistant football coach from 1981-1984. After winning a state championship, he took a head coaching position at Sumrall High. His love and loyalty to his alma mater drew him back to McComb in 1987 in which he remained coaching the Tigers until retirement in 2007, where he then returned part-time to serve as the Athletic Director until 2008. His coaching philosophy was once captured in the Enterprise Journal: "Everything you do is for the kids. The kids have to be the most important thing... You have to let the kids know you care about them." Dave carried this philosophy off the field and into his home as he was a devoted husband to Carolyn and father to his two daughters, Cobie and Katelan. Not only did he spend many hours at the football fields, but for his daughters, he spent many hours at softball tournaments and band competitions. He also instilled hard work, the love of God, family, sports, and Service to others in them. Upon retirement, Dave's passion for cooking led him to open a food truck and catering business known as Coach V's. He enjoyed traveling to different festivals with Carolyn and his daughters. His famous dish "gumbalaya" was always a crowd favorite. He used this opportunity to continue to serve others, as he could be found set up for many fundraising events such as the Habitat for Humanity. Dave also became the Director at the St. Andrew's Activity Center in McComb to further serve the low-income community.
Dave will be missed by the many lives he has touched. He will always be remembered as the most loving father, the best brother, the caring coach, and the superb cook that he was.
David Varnell was preceded in death by his bride, Carolyn; his parents – Charley and Colleen Varnell; maternal grandparents - Nola and Alfred Moak of Norfield, and his paternal grandparents - Mattie and Jodie Varnell of McComb; his sister - Hallie Sue Varnell of McComb; niece - Corey Allen Varnell of McComb; brother-in-law - Randy Pigott of Summit.
David Varnell is survived by his two daughters - Mary "Cobie" Varnell and Katelan Ross Edwards (Steven) of Hattiesburg, MS; his grandson and namesake, David Ross Edwards; one brother - Ric Varnell (Mary Allen) of Summit, MS; two sisters - Charlene "Shorty" Varnell of Pensacola, FL and Ginger Pigott of Summit, MS; two nephews - Bo Varnell (Kim) of Brandon, MS and Jake Pigott (Liza) of Magnolia, MS; two nieces - Charley and Mattie Pigott of Summit, MS; two grandnephews - Dylan Varnell and Waylon Pigott and two grandnieces - Tori Varnell and Birdie Pigott; one sister-in-law - Mary Anne Hood Makamson (Curtis) of Pascagoula; nephew - Collin Witt Makamson of New Orleans, LA and niece Mary Lynn Pate (David) of Gautier, MS; he also had an honorary sister - Ann Suarez of Pensacola, FL.
Visitation will be held at Hartman-Jones Funeral Home Monday, December 15, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 p.m. with services to follow. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery. Brother Johnny Bley will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Bo Varnell, Dylan Varnell, Jake Pigott, Steven Edwards, Collin Makamson, and Jamie Brown.
Honorary pallbearers are Jamie Everett, Billy Coon, Chris Smith, James Coney, Chet Bergalowski, Ted Milton, Gregg Slaughter, William Panell, and all the "kids" that Dave coached.