Charles Webster Self

August 22, 1946-June 21, 2016

Charles, passed away on Tuesday evening, June 21, 2016, peacefully and quietly at his home in Poolesville, MD after a brief but fierce 10 week battle against pancreatic cancer. He was 69. Born August 22, 1946 in Birmingham, AL, he was the son of the late Charley Massey and Thelma Pauline (McCombs) Self. Charles lived in and around Birmingham for much of his life, spending his last 15 years in Poolesville, MD. He served 6 years in the Coast Guard Reserves and taught vocational school for 10 years in Jefferson County, AL, where he also drove a school bus for 12 years. Charles was a well-accomplished professional dog handler for approximately 30 years, handling many top wining Group, Best in Show and Specialty winners. He exhibited mostly Sporting breeds and specialized in American Cocker Spaniels, which he also bred. After retiring from professional dog handling, he began his dog show judging career of 14 years, becoming an A.K.C. approved judge of Sporting and Hound breeds. He was a long time member of the Professional Handlers Association and served as an officer and was a member of the American Dog Show Judges. He also belonged to the Chattanooga Cocker Club and the Atlanta Area Cocker Spaniel Specialty Club of Georgia. He was a member and served as an officer in the Birmingham Kennel Club and was a Life Member of the American Spaniel Club. Charles especially enjoyed judging the Cocker Spaniel Specialty Shows. He enjoyed the game of golf both as a player and spectator. He enjoyed watching sports on television, particularly the Washington Nationals, Washington Redskins, professional tennis, men's college basketball and of course college football…Alabama college football-Roll Tide! His visits with his family were always appreciated, particularly the mid-winter time spent in Gulf Shores, AL. He loved his home in Maryland, enjoyed working in his yard, riding his John Deere and even with a longtime involvement with the sport of dog showing, his numerous cats at home captured his heart.

Charles is survived by his devoted wife of 13 years, Linda Wallaesa Self; two sisters, Nettie Sue Hopper and husband Randall of Lawrenceville, GA, Mary Elizabeth Little and husband David of Bremen, AL; his daughter, Lisa Diane Carboni and husband Paul of Hoover, AL; his son, Charles Todd Self and wife Jessica of Helena, AL; his granddaughters, Eva Kate and Mollie Claire Carboni, Ella Katherine Self; nieces and nephews, Terri Sue (Hopper) Jackson and husband Randall of Dacula, GA, Randy Hopper of Lawrenceville, David Webster Little and wife Paula of Beaumont, TX, Jill (Little) Crumpton and husband Dan of Warrior, AL and 10 great nieces and great nephews. He is also survived by his former wives, Diane Gilbert and Nancy Pepper.

Services will be held on Monday July 11, 2016, at the Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Hwy, Gardendale, AL 35071 with the family receiving friends at 2 pm and memorial services starting at 3 pm. Inurnment will follow in Morris Cemetery, Morris, AL. Donations in the memory of Charles Self can be made to the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department, 19801 Beallsville Rd., Beallsville, MD 20839 (www.umcvfd.org), Autism Society of Alabama, 4217 Dolly Ridge Rd., Birmingham, AL 35243 (www.autism-alabama.org) or a charity of your choice .

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, Gardendale, AL.