Lazente Carnell Williams

Lazente Carnell Williams, 56, transitioned on Monday, November 24, 2025, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Lazente Carnell Williams, affectionately known as "Nelly," was born on November 16, 1969, in Kankakee, Illinois, to Leroy Williams Jr. and the late Annie Pearl Rogers Williams Lowe. He was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend whose life touched many.

Carnell entered eternal rest on November 24, 2025, at the age of 56, while traveling abroad on a birthday trip. Though the exact location of his passing remains uncertain, it is believed he was overseas in Europe, possibly Turkey or Amsterdam, the Netherlands-living life as he always did, with adventure, purpose, and joy.

Raised in Kankakee, Illinois, Carnell attended local grade schools, where his curiosity and fearless spirit quickly became evident. From sports such as baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, and swimming, to riding mini motorcycles and exploring mechanical work, Carnell had a natural ability to learn, adapt, and excel. He embraced life with an eagerness to try new things and a determination to see every challenge through.

Carnell attended Nettleton Junior High School, where he developed an early interest in tool and die work and automotive mechanics. He later graduated from Nettleton High School in Nettleton, Mississippi. Over time, his interest grew into a lifelong passion and calling. A skilled mechanic, fabricator, welder, and true jack of all trades, Carnell found happiness working with his hands. Whether repairing vehicles, motorcycles, box trucks, diesel engines, trailers, radios, or customizing cars with rims, tires, tint, and sound systems, he approached every task with focus, creativity, and pride. Much of Carnell's mechanical foundation was built alongside his father, Leroy Williams Jr., who taught him the value of hard work by placing him in the shop after school, learning hands-on. Those lessons shaped Carnell's strong work ethic, independence, and unwavering determination. Once Carnell set his mind on something, nothing could deter him. He thrived on innovation, challenge, and the satisfaction of building something from the ground up.

Carnell lived by the motto: "Get up, get up, and go get it. Nothing is coming to you laying down-and I'll sleep when I'm dead."

That philosophy carried him across state lines and through many ventures-traveling, towing cars, delivering goods in his box truck, buying and selling vehicles, fabricating motorcycle parts, building and riding motorcycles, performing body work, bartending for himself, cooking a little, and always finding a way to keep moving forward.

Known for his infectious laughter and playful sense of humor, Carnell was a natural jokester who loved to make others laugh. His love for music-especially "Sands of Time" by The S.O.S. Band-his generous heart, and his free-spirited nature made him unforgettable to all who knew him.

Carnell almost became famous around town & all over the world for his (Jerry Curl) back in the late 1980's/1990's. He and his mother traveled around the world showing his cousins hair products  (Hawaiian Silky) that started his Fame & Glory, he became well known everywhere and people started gravitating to him,  he was a very successful person throughout his lifetime and he never stopped moving his feet, he kept pressing on, Kept his stride and he never gave up on himself, he Knew that he was destined to be great. He was a very confident man of himself; he never doubted his plans and or his journeys; he was going to make happen.

Carnell (The Traveler) enjoyed his life here on earth and he never let anyone get in his way of doing so, he loved to make you smile, laugh, and was a big jokester. Carnell was a mentor, motivator, an early riser, teacher, doer of his own works, inspiring and he loved to have fun with his family and friends, he was more than just a mechanic, encourager, provider, hard worker, he was somebody that you could depend on, jack of all trades. He was always going to make it happen.

Carnell was united in holy matrimony to Fetina Rogers, though the marriage later ended, it remained a meaningful chapter in his life

He is survived by: his loving father, Leroy Williams Jr., his beloved children, three sons Travanti Williams (Tay), Lazente Wallace (Pug), and Lazent'e Carnell Williams Jr. (Мооsey); his cherished grandchildren: Breyli Wallace, Princeton Wallace, Reign Wallace, Kerigan Williams, and Kreed Williams; his siblings on his father's side: Leroy Christopher Williams, Shavez Evans, Le Roy Rupert, Carrie Johnson, Tarqueenia Neal Ellis, Kimberly Smith, Laquita Fellina Williams Moore, and Valerie Warren; his uncle, James Artice Williams, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever cherish his memory. Lazente Carnell Williams will be remembered for his big heart, brilliant mind, tireless work ethic, and his ability to bring laughter into any room. He lived boldly, loved deeply, and left a legacy of strength, resilience, and joy.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., at Poplar Springs C.M.E. Church, 31868 Country Road 139, Shannon, MS. 38868.

Body will lie in state one hour prior to service time.

Burial will take place at Old Pine Grove Cemetery, Shannon, MS.

Arrangements entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of New Albany, MS