Charles William Cannon

Charles ("Chuck") was born to Jesse and Effie Cannon (nee. Peacock) on February 27, 1931. Jesse moved his family to Memphis, TN when Chuck was young where he attended a one-room schoolhouse with a few other kids, completing his education up to 8th Grade. Chuck always talked about eating homegrown vegetables (or not eating at all), fresh milk, and nothing was better than his Mama's cornbread. Chuck enjoyed riding his horse, playing stickball with his brothers, Herbert and Steve, and skipping rocks on the pond. It's that same pond that he fetched water from every morning so his mama could make breakfast and do dishes and, in the evening, so she had something to wash the muck out from behind their ears with, before bed.

In 1948, Chuck found himself joining the US Air Force, where he proudly served until 1977, which is when he retired as a Tech Sergeant. During his service, Chuck spent time stationed overseas in Holland, Germany and (oh his favorite)

SAGLAC, Labrador Greenland, or as Chuck fondly called "The Cold Hell on Earth". During his service he was awarded many accommodations including, but not limited to the Air for Good Conduct Medal (no less than 4 times),

the Air Force Meritorious Service Award (no less than 3 times), and the Joint Service Commendations Special Operations Group Medal (no less than 1 time). Even with all his medals, Chuck was most proud of his history as a

fireman for the Air Force, especially being Fire Chief at SAGLAC.

Chuck was preceded in death by his life-long love, Billie Jean Cannon (nee. Maxwell), his wife of 67 years. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah J. Friedmann (nee. Watson); grandson, Jaret R. Brown & spouse, Carlene Brown

(Nee. Fornwalt); granddaughter, Jaklyn R. South (nee. Brown) & Spouse Damian South; granddaughter, Janessa Brown, and 5 great-grandchildren; nephew, Edward & Maria Brown; nephew, Fred & Susan Goodrich; niece Tammy &

Jaime Hernandez (nee. Brown); niece, Trina Walters; niece Kellee Wanson; niece, Ann White; nephew, Tony Brassfield; niece, Sunny Rhodes.

When you know, you know! One fateful day, Chuck walked into a bar and saw her: Billie Jean Maxwell! There she was sitting over in a corner doing her homework. Chuck asked the bartender (who happened to be Billie's older sister) who that girl was sitting over in the corner. It wasn't long before introductions were made. As fate often works, Billie had noticed Chuck too. In fact, after introductions were made, she told Chuck she was going to marry him. Well, I'll be darned if they didn't pick out wedding rings that very night. The story doesn't end there though: Chuck went home and told his girlfriend that he was getting married. As you can imagine, she wasn't very happy about that; so 'not' happy about that that she stabbed him in the arm with a kitchen knife. After getting permission from Billie's mom, and only 3 short weeks later, Chuck and Billie were finally husband and wife.

Special thanks go out to: Jackie, Michelle, Ray, Dan, Candy, Brayden, Penny, Vern, Lori and all others who love him, visited him & helped him through these last few years.

In celebration of Chuck and Billie's birthdays and remembrance of Chuck we are gathering at Red Lobster, New Center Point location, February 28th, 12:00pm. Please RSVP to Jackie, (719) 287-0164, by Feb. 20th. We all know of Chuck's

generosity! Sadly, he won't be able to buy our meals this time.

NOTE: Chuck has requested no flowers be sent; rather donations made to Silver Key in his honor, (719) 884-2349.