January 28, 1962  –  September 25, 2023

MANTACHIE – Celebrated Professional Wrestler Charles Kenny Clayton, 61, died Monday, September 25, 2023, at the North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born January 28, 1962, to Ronel Clayton and Lucille Pettigrew Clayton. Kenny, AKA Kenny Clayton, AKA Luscious Kenny Valiant, loved wrestling from the time he was a toddler. Every weekend he would watch Memphis’s “Wrasslin” on TV and dreamed of being a wrestler himself one day. He had the courage to not only dream but he gave up everything to make that dream come true. Kenny wrestled all over Tupelo and other parts of Mississippi and Tennessee. He wrestled with legends like Handsome Jimmy Valiant and Jerry “The King” Lawler. He started as Kenny “The Dream” Rose but later was known as Luscious Kenny Valiant. When his health took a turn and he was unable to wrestle, he became a promoter. Before he died, Kenny was interviewed by Jeff Martin for the book “Professional Wrestling in Mississippi.” Kenny is one of the few people who was courageous enough to follow his dream. Ladies and gentlemen, Luscious Kenny has left the building!

A celebration of life service will be held for Kenny at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in the Sadie M. Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with Bro. Joey Ray and Jimmy Blaylock officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to service time. Burial will take place at Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery east of Plantersville. Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve the family.

Kenny is survived by his daughters, Ashley and Kaylee of Tupelo; his niece, Teresa Davis of Honolulu, Hawaii and Jay Crouch of Southaven and his best friend, Jimmy Blaylock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronel and Lucille Clayton; his beloved partner, Tina Bandy; and his sister, Betsy Crouch.

Condolences for the family may be posted on his memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.