Charles "Preston" Fussell

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Preston Fussell announces his passing at the age of 85 on December 20, 2025 in Monroe, North Carolina. He was surrounded by his family for the last few weeks and felt their immense love as he went to be with his Lord and Savior.

Preston was born on February 7, 1940 at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. He spent his formative years moving from one military base to another while his father served as a Master Sargent in the U.S. Army. He graduated from Louisville Male High School while living at Fort Knox in Kentucky.

In his late teens, Preston and his family settled in Birmingham, Alabama, where he met Jane, the love of his life and his wife of over 64 years. Preston and Jane had two amazing daughters, Christie and Wendy. The family moved to Hoover, Alabama in 1970. Preston and Jane were members of Vestavia Church of Christ for more than 50 years.

In September 2024, Preston and Jane moved to Monroe, North Carolina so they could be closer to the girls. They found a new church home and joined Mineral Springs Church of Christ where they quickly made friends.

Preston worked for Feldstein’s Wholesale for more than 25 years working his way up to Vice President. After suffering a heart attack at 42, he started his own manufacturer’s representative business, Living Sales, representing brands such as Conair, First Alert, Webster and Timex. “Living” was his motto for the rest of his life.

Preston received many awards for his work which included trips that he and his wife enjoyed all over the world including Italy, Hawaii, Tahita, and Australia. He was able to build his and Jane’s dream home, which they moved into in December 1991. Once he retired, he began a new career in residential and commercial real estate and his passion, landscaping.

An avid golfer, Preston received his PGA assistant professional certification in 1959. Although he did not pursue a golfing career he spent many Saturdays playing golf at Green Valley Country Club (now Hoover). He played with friends at golf courses around the United States, even winning a couple of tournaments. A lifelong Alabama Crimson Tide fan, he and his family attended countless games and spent many hours watching on TV.

Preston and his family spent a lot of time over the years at their vacation home in Sandestin, Florida and later in life at Harbour Lights in Destin, Florida. He certainly enjoyed the finest things in life whether it being travel, football, golf or fine dining with his family and friends. As his friends (The Three Amigos) would say, of all the living, he lived the best – he gave us all the best of times, the best food, stories, times, laughs and prayers. We are all lucky that we were parts of his life.

Preston lived a Christian life and was proud of his relationship with God. He was the embodiment of love through his compassion, selflessness, forgiveness and devotion, not only to his family but to everyone in his life. He said his greatest gift on Earth was his granddaughter, Lindsey. Following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Lindsey has grown into an exemplary Christian, daughter, granddaughter, niece and wife.

Preston is survived by his wife, Jane; brother, Grant (Sandy) Fussell of Hobart, Indiana; daughters, Christie (Dale) Morrison of Monroe, North Carolina, and Wendy (Rich) Green of Cumming, Georgia; and granddaughter, Lindsey (Wesley) Funderburk of Wingate, North Carolina.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., the service will begin at 12 noon, and the interment will be immediately following at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Mineral Springs Church of Christ, P.O. Box 265, Mineral Springs, NC 28108.