In a small town, everyone knows whose kid you are. Make them know your work too.

Association is the default where you grew up, and not something you can argue your way out of. People already have a version of you built from your family, so the only thing that adds to it is what you are seen doing. Work is the one part of your reputation you get to write yourself.

Pick something visible and do it reliably for a season: a job, a team, a project, helping at something local. Let the consistency do the talking. Small towns are slow to update an opinion and very good at keeping one once it changes.