Charles Ray Lemons

Charles ‘Charlie’ Ray Lemons lived life to its fullest and his contagious laugh brought smiles to all in his company. He always provided entertainment, a quick wit and a competitive spirit, with his heart worn on his sleeve. His faith was strong and his daily devotions found ‘Trust in the Lord and do good’ to be his chosen verse for his celebration and reflection of life. If Charlie knew you, rest assured that you were on his prayer lists (those index cards!)

Charlie passed peacefully at home on Oct 13, 2023 at morning’s light with his wife and dog by his side. A special blessing was granted to Teri, Annie and him to be at home for his last ten days, and have time for family and friends to visit, hug, laugh and cry. He endured a decade of myasthenia gravis with grace to enjoy the quiet days and a strong will to celebrate the given good days. In his last weeks, he was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 34 years, Teri and their English cream golden, Annie, and many special family members and friends. Their other adopted golden children also brought great joy, much laughter and unconditional love throughout the years - Molly 1, Molly 2, Beau, Brandy, Max, Harry and Jinx, and golden neighbor Mitch Hauser who introduced the ‘golden‘ way of life to the Lemons’ household when they moved to Rock Barn in 1994. Charlie and Teri met on February 5, 1986 in Winston-Salem ‘love at first sight’ and remained together since then.

Charlie was a graduate of Averett College and the LSU Graduate School of Banking; his entire career was in banking. He retired from BB&T/Southern National as SVP and Western Region Small Banking Manager in 2006, then joined Empire Financial Services/Southwest Georgia Bank where he retired as President and Consultant in 2016. He served Corinth Reformed Church as its Board Treasurer, a devoted member and Sunday greeter which brought him joy and purpose as well as a commitment to service. His hobbies were golf, reading and more golf! He was very proud of his three ‘Holes in One’ – Roanoke, Rocky Mount and Pinehurst. He had a strong and loving commitment to golden retriever rescues and welcomed any puppy breath, kisses and ‘bites’, especially neighbor black lab ‘Cotton’ Pierce and beach neighbor, blonde lab Beau Craver.

Charlie’s zest for life focused on family, friends, dogs, church, sports and career. He and Teri embraced and welcomed one another’s family as their own, sharing in the joys, laughter, sadness, celebrations, holidays, vacations, challenges and successes. His favorites included Aunt Aggie’s annual Oktoberfest or July 4th family reunions sans shorts!, karaoke with Stacette, niece and nephew sporting events, music and church activities. Birthdays and holidays were always a festive occasion in the Lemons’ homes – whether Winston-Salem, Roanoke, Rocky Mount, Georgia, Rock Barn or Ocean Isle Beach. Come one, come all! He found joy in others’ happiness and loved fun to include pranks (and mishaps.) Golf was his choice sport with many hours and days of fun and camaraderie. Lunches and Bible studies with friends were special gifts.

Charlie could be found on most mornings in his study (aka phone booth) for his daily chats with sister Betty, friend Doc or nephew Trent – conversations were mainly about sports, stocks, and what was planned for lunch or dinner! And planning tee times! Family and friends were great to stay in touch at all times with calls, texts, cards, and prayers. Calls from nephews Ryan and Drew, and niece Brittain warmed his heart. Charlie was very disenchanted with happenings around us in recent years in our country and world, praying for peace everywhere and for everyone facing struggles. This included many of his sports teams! But a smile would quickly appear with ‘love it’ when he heard neighbor Worth’s John Deere crank and head his way. He applauded all with claps and laughter.

Charlie was predeceased by his loving twin, Annie Mae Lemons Horne and their parents, Edgar Harmon and Dorothy ‘Granny’ Pickard Lemons of Burlington, NC. He is survived by his sister, Betty Beatty (Rocky) of Charlotte; brother-in-laws, Tom Horne and Scott Copeland; sister-in-law, Karen Copeland Pritchard (David); nephews Ryan Horne (Jessica), Drew Beatty (Sara), Trent Copeland (Alison), and Tyler Copeland (Melissa); nieces Brittain Horne Cheek, Stacy ‘Stacette’ Dias (Freddy), Stephanie Downey (Chad), LeAnn Eure (Neil), Lindsey Sawyer (Travis), and Dylan Copeland; great nephews Nick Casper, Corbin Eure, Wyatt Downey, Easton Horne, Thomas Beatty and Andrew Copeland; and, great nieces Kalelle Cheek, Marley Harrell, Willow Horne, Collins Eure, Sara Owen ‘Bunny’ Beatty; and special neighbors, Worth and Beatrice Pierce; many cousins and special family members, to include Aunt Betty whom they shared prayer, encouragement and celebrations.

Charlie was blessed with many colleagues, mentors, mentees, friends and golfing buddies – perfect recent Friday afternoons were golfing with Mike ‘Dog’ Shehan, Stanley Clontz, Danny Rector and Ed Burns; evening practices with Lin Howe at Rock Barn; 40 years of golfing trips with Joe Walker, Jim Carter and Ken Hartman; the Horse guys and the Linksters. Watching and following Carolina college sports and golf was a favorite activity. And just recently in August, he began Pickleball at Rock Barn – who knew! Whether golf or football, there were many bets extended to his closest friends; some of the $1 bills are in his treasured collection alongside scorecards.

Charlie, in recent months reflected on his many great golf outings with family and friends to include the Masters, Pinehurst, Palm Springs, Myrtle and Ocean Isle, Rock Barn Champions Pro-Ams, and playing Pebble Beach on his 60th birthday, a surprise gift from Teri. He loved college sports - especially Carolina basketball which was shared through the years with his Mom (who was a high school basketball player), Aunt Aggie, friend Doc, and cousin Brucie. Yard sports was a pastime with childhood friend, Kenny Holmes and high school friend, Tom Horne. Many other fun times were had at Steeplechase, New Year’s Eves at Myrtle with the Walker/Hartman clans and Len Murray. And ‘young’ friends – Dennis Hurst, Johnny Perry, Tripp Becker – so many thought of often. And Jamaica vacays with Teri, Stacette, Freddy, LeAnn, Neil, Vandy, Betty, Rocky. ETC!

Charlie and Teri express special gratitude to friend and lifeline Mike ‘Doc’ Dockery, friend and physician friend Ray Morrow MD, the physicians and nursing team at Catawba Valley Medical Center, special home nurses Alli and Gracie Bumgarner, the Center Well and Carolina Caring Hospice Nursing Teams, Wake Forest Baptist School of Medicine Neuro Fellow Karrie Grear MD, and the wonderful support of church and work families, neighbors and friends. A special thank you to friends Joe and Julie Walker, Vandy Reh, and Patsy Bumgarner, and neighbors Don and Kim Hauser, Rocky Rowe, and Daniel and Shelby Pierce for their ongoing concern, encouragement, and friendship during these recent years.

A memorial service and Celebration of Life service is planned for 11am on Saturday, November 4th at Corinth Reformed Church of Hickory with Pastors Paul Cummings and Lori Blocker officiating.

A reception and family visitation will follow after the service, with a special thanks to Rob and Kathleene of Active Edge for catering, and Corinth’s Bereavement Committee.

Drum Funeral Home of Conover is assisting the family with arrangements. Charlie’s ashes will be joined with their pets, his twin sister, and some will travel to many golf courses to come.