Charles Forrest Etchison, Jr. was born October 5, 1944 in Selma, Alabama to the late Charles Forrest, Sr. and Mary Lucille Combs Etchison. He was called from this earthly home on December 25, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama.
Charley followed the path of many trades for he would become easily bored with simply just one. He continued his education through Bishop State receiving a number of certificates in many trade areas from Assistant Care Nursing and Woodworking to Electrical work. I guess you could say Charley was the Jack-Of-All-Trades! He was very crafty and good with his hands. Charley loved watching Alabama football, gardening and maintaining a well-manicured lawn. He certainly had a green thumb when it came to horticulture. Charley would consider himself quite the comedian.
He was a man of faith; a Christian and would pray some of the sweetest, most simplest of prayers. We knew God was listening every day. Shaaron would say to him; we need to pray for this person, they would then hold hands and pray immediately. Charley taught Sunday school at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, Springhill Senior Center and at Tillman’s Corner First Baptist Church.
He adored his wife Shaaron, spending time with his grandchildren, loved his family, friends, talking on the phone and always enjoyed getting together. Charley would frequent Pro-health, he and Shaaron loved to travel and held a passion for dancing. He and Shaaron would come to value the friendships and fellowship at the Connie Hudson Senior Center.
Charley shared the same type of music interests as his daughter; dede and would keep her supplied in cd’s. He was always making sure his wife Shaaron had plenty cd’s containing oldies but goodies. He enjoyed the sport of golf and volunteered in the Barbasol Championship and Benevolent Benefit Golf Tournaments every year. As one of the benefit committee members, Charley would retrieve gifts from local businesses for the silent auctions and gift bags for the players. He enjoyed working in the garage on cars keeping and restoring them to mint condition at all times. Charley could work on a car anywhere, remembering back – Shaaron was broken down in the middle of Hillcrest and he worked on the car right there on site.
He will be remembered as a man that never met a stranger and would stop to help anyone in need.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife of thirty-two years; Janice Dunn Etchison.
Left to cherish Charles’s wonderful memories will be his beloved wife; Shaaron Tapia Etchison, one daughter; dede Couey and husband Charles Livings, two grandchildren: Ian and Cara Couey-Livings, cousins: Eunice W. Luna, Robert (Bobby) Combs, William (Billy) Combs, Pete Taylor and wife Kay, Russell Combs and wife Lynda, Billy Combs, Abigail Combs along with many wonderful friends.
The family would like to extend their sincerest appreciation to the staff, doctors and nurses of USA Health University Hospital, Mobile, Alabama, especially over the trauma and neurology departments for the great care and compassion during our family’s time of need.
Memorials may be made to Mission of Hope Ministries, 14970 Mission Road, Mobile, Alabama, 36608 (251) 649-0830 in honor of Charles (Charley) Forrest Etchison, Jr...
Honoring Charley as pallbearers will be Ian Couey-Livings, Charles Livings, Michael Morris, David Hamilton, Jerry Morgan, Terry Terranova and David Brieler. Honorary pallbearers will be Otis Brunson, Tom Todd, John Martin, Charlie Story, Bill Heard, Dr. William Whitfield, Dr. Dan Taylor, Pastor Keith Taylor, Pastor Jeremy Montgomery, Woodie Strickland and Gene Barns.
Celebration of Life services for Charles Forrest Etchison, Jr. will be held 12:00 PM, Thursday, January 2, 2020, at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, 3661 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36608 with Dr. Blake Newsom officiating under the direction of Pine Crest Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow on the grounds of Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama, 36605.
The family will be receiving guests for visitation Thursday, January 2, 2010 from 10:30 AM until time of service at 12:00 PM at Dauphin Way Baptist Church.
