Matthew Renna

Services for Matthew Renna will be held Thursday, April 26, 2018, at 2 p.m. from McClain-Hays Chapel with Rev. Jeff Hancock officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarlawn Cemetery.   Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 25, 2018, from 5 until 8 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.  Mr. Renna, 77, died Monday, April 23, 2018, at his residence. He was a native of Long Island, New York, and moved to Florida when he was 16 years old.  He has been a resident of Philadelphia since 1973.  He served in the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era.  He was a well known woodcarver and his favorite subjects were ducks and birds.  In the late 80’s he carved 50 birds for the Christmas Tree to represent Mississippi on the White House Lawn, and later carved a pair of mockingbirds for First Lady Barbara Bush.  Mr. Renna was a former  member of the Mississippi Craftsmen’s Guild and a member of Sandtown United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Mary Renna of Philadelphia; daughters, Marianna (Douglas) Sciple of Philadelphia, Rose Clark of Philadelphia, Anna (Miguel) Valazquez, Michelle (Tyler) Hancock of Union; eight grandchildren, Matt Stamper, Melanie Whinery, Bryan Clark, Miles Stamper, Meredith Reid, Madison Hancock, Samantha Hancock, Skyler Hancock; four great-grandchildren, Sadie Stamper, Jesse Clark, Frank Whinery, Joseph Whinery. Mr. Renna was preceded in death by parents, Joe and Anna Renna; and brother, Lenny Renna. Pallbearers are Matt Stamper, Miles Stamper, Bryan Clark, Jason Peavy, Tyler Hancock and Miguel Valazquez.