He was born in Winona, Mississippi in July 1940 to W.H. and Lizzie Irene Mitchell.
He attended several elementary and high schools around the state and worked in the cotton fields of Mississippi from a very young age.
At the age of 17 he enlisted in the US Navy and served as a gunner on the USS Fort Marion until being honorably discharged in 1964.
On a weekend furlough to Phoenix with a fellow seaman, he was introduced to MariLu Webley. Charles and MariLu married in May 1959.
Charles was a devoted husband and wonderful father and grandfather.
He is survived by MariLu, his wife of more than 62 years and their three children, Marci, Maria and Joshua, four grandchildren, Alaina, Shane, Olivia and MaryJordyn, and their three great-grandchildren, Romiee, Shane Jr., and Jaxon.
He is also survived by his older brother James and younger sister Sue.
Charles was a life-long Christian and a man of faith. He taught Sunday school for many years. He most recently served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the West Thomas Southern Baptist Church.
He was an avid sports fan and closely followed the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks.
He was a vegetarian for almost half of his life and had memberships with the Sierra Club and PETA.
Charles was an inspiration to his family and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 8th at the West Thomas Southern Baptist Church.
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