Charles Wickliffe Cutrer Sr.

Charles W. "C.W." Cutrer

November 11, 1929 - July 15, 2026

"Well done, good and faithful servant." - Matthew 25:23

Charles W. "C.W." Cutrer, 96, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 15, 2026. We believe he heard the words every faithful servant hopes for: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

If you ever met C.W., you probably left with a smile, a story, or a joke to share. If you knew him well, you gained a lifelong friend.

C.W. spent his entire life in Central, Louisiana, and was known for his unwavering faith, humble service, hard work, and deep love for his family. He welcomed everyone, enjoyed making people laugh, and showed Christ's love through his actions as much as his words. His life spoke louder than any sermon.

C.W. was born to Wickliffe Preston Cutrer and Clara Inez Buttenuth Cutrer. He graduated from Central High School, where he was proud to play on the school's first football team and also enjoyed basketball and baseball.

He began his career driving a school bus before spending many years as a truck driver. He also faithfully drove the church bus whenever there was a need, believing no act of service was too small. Whether serving his church, providing for his family, or helping a neighbor, C.W. did everything with integrity, humility, and gratitude.

A born-again Christian, C.W.'s faith was the foundation of his life. He and his beloved wife, Lora Gertrude Lanier Cutrer, faithfully served churches throughout Louisiana through music ministry and The Cutrer Family Singers. C.W. was rarely seen without one of his sharp suits, and Lora made sure they were always dressed to match. Their music was more than something people heard; it was something they felt. Long after a service ended, many still remembered C.W.'s rich, deep voice ringing through the sanctuary and the unmistakable joy he and his family shared as they sang about their Savior.

Following Lora's passing, C.W. made his home in Wilmer, Louisiana, near his daughter Roberta and son-in-law Gary Guy. After Roberta's passing, he moved to Brandon, Mississippi, where his daughter Judy Orlette Shumaker and her husband, Herman, lovingly cared for him.

To his family, he was Daddy, Paw Paw, Great-Grandpa, storyteller, mentor, and faithful example. To everyone else, he was simply "C.W.", the man with the warm handshake, contagious laugh, quick joke, and genuine smile that made everyone feel welcome.

He loved hunting, fishing, riding his four-wheeler, and spending time outdoors. Even in his nineties, he remained active and could often be found on his riding lawn mower, thankful for another day.

Most of all, C.W. loved his family. He and Lora filled their lives with vacations, roller coasters, mountain trips, Branson shows, Fourth of July fireworks, and countless memories their family will treasure forever.

For C.W., the greatest adventures were never about the places he visited; they were about the people who shared them with him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wickliffe Preston Cutrer and Clara Inez Buttenuth Cutrer; his beloved wife, Lora Gertrude Lanier Cutrer; his cherished daughter, Roberta Kaye Cutrer Guy; his brother, Ogden Cutrer; and his sister, Joyce Cutrer.

He is survived by his daughter Judy Orlette Shumaker and husband Herman; his son Charles Cutrer, Jr. and wife Debbie; his son-in-law Gary Guy; his sister Mattie Bell Cutrer Stubbs; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Funeral Services

Funeral services celebrating the life of Charles W. "C.W." Cutrer will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Sandy Creek Baptist Church.

Visitation: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Funeral Service: 1:00 p.m.

Interment: Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery

Pallbearers

Dustin Cutrer, Yancy Hughes, Chad Murphy, Dave Guidroz, Donald Thompson, Jr., Dalton Thompson, Daniel Thompson

Honorary Pallbearers

The remaining grandsons, great-grandsons, and great-great-grandsons.

A Final Tribute

C.W.'s life was a beautiful song of faith, family, and joy. His greatest legacy was not found in the songs he sang or the miles he traveled, but in the faith, he lived, the family he loved, and the many lives he pointed to Jesus Christ.

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." - Psalm 100:1

The song has not ended; it has simply joined Heaven's choir.