Charles Caine Anderson Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, great-uncle, friend, visionary businessman, generous philanthropist, and lifelong resident of Florence, Alabama, passed away peacefully June 24, 2026, at the age of 91. His life was marked by unwavering faith, love for his family, generosity, a deep-rooted commitment to strengthening his community, and an entrepreneurial spirit. He was a man of humility and wisdom whose life made a lasting impact on his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Charles leaves behind a devoted family who loved him deeply and who will honor his legacy by living the values he exemplified throughout his life. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda Barbour Anderson, his brother, Joel Ray Anderson, and sisters-in-law Doris Barbour Duncan and Norma Jean Barbour Box. He is survived by his sister, Jan Anderson Wiggins (Bob).
At 17 years old, Charles married his high school sweetheart, Hilda Claire Barbour, beginning a life together built on love, trust, commitment, and faith that lasted 67 ½ years, until her passing in 2020. They started their family when they were 19 years old. Their enduring partnership was the cornerstone of a home filled with love and purpose that continues to live on through their four sons: Charles Caine “Charlie” Anderson Jr. (Moll), Terrence Carroll “Terry” Anderson (Susan), Clyde Barbour Anderson (Summer), and Harold Myron Anderson (Amber). Faith, generosity, and devotion to family formed the foundation of the life Charles and Hilda built together.
Known affectionately as “Daddy Charles” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he cherished and took immense pride in each of them. He is survived by his grandchildren: Charles Caine “Chase” Anderson III (Ashley), Hayley Anderson Milam (Aaron), Lauren Anderson Nizolek (Ryan), Michael Zachary Camello (Aphrodite), Carson Caine Anderson (Kari), Bentley Barbour Anderson, Keaton Carroll Anderson (Sydney), Alexandra Anderson “Ali” Oliver (Andrew), Olivia Anderson McDaniel (Myron), Clyde Christian Anderson (Leslie), Beatrice Barbour “Bea” Anderson, Claire Clements Anderson, Taylor Claire Anderson, Harold Myron “HM” Anderson Jr., Rumi Lyon Anderson, and Shiva Lyon Anderson, and his great-grandchildren: Scarlett Elizabeth Anderson, Anna Catherine Anderson, Gracie Elizabeth Milam, Abigail Sarah “Abby” Milam, Jake Hudson Milam, Chloe Elizabeth Nizolek, Charles Scott “Charlie” Nizolek, Adrianna Melina Camello, Caine James Anderson, Ella Kaye Anderson, Essie Elaine Anderson, and Rance Keaton Anderson. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: George Ellis Duncan Jr. (Gini), Mary Duncan Weary (John), Rebecca Duncan “Becky” Evans (Joe), Ashley Ruth Anderson, Joel Ray Anderson II (Sophie), Kristen Lore Anderson, Catherine Foss Wingfield, and Anderson Malone Wingfield. Whether known as “Daddy Charles” or “Uncle Charles,” he will be profoundly missed and remembered forever.
Born on November 20, 1934, in Florence, Alabama, Charles was the eldest of Clyde W. and Ruth Keenum Anderson’s three children. He was raised in a hardworking family where the values of faith, perseverance, and responsibility were instilled in him from an early age.
Charles’s entrepreneurial journey began when he was just five years old, helping customers at his father’s small newsstand, which was built from piano boxes, in downtown Florence. At age nine, he had his own newspaper route, and by 11 years old, he had started a roadside fireworks stand of his own. By the time he was 14 years old, he worked at his father’s magazine and book business, which had grown from the small newsstand to a storefront. From those humble beginnings, Charles learned lessons about diligence, initiative, leadership, vision, innovation, work ethic, and service that shaped his future and defined his life.
Charles attended Coffee High School, where he distinguished himself both as a scholar and an athlete. At 15 years old, he earned recognition as the youngest football player ever selected to the First Team All Tri-Cities Football squad and the All Tennessee Valley Conference squad, having played guard for the Coffee High School Yellow Jackets, while also in 1951 served as co-captain of the football team. He graduated from Coffee High School in 1952 as a senior class favorite, solidifying the admiration he had established among his peers for his leadership and character. Even in his teenage years, Charles displayed the determination, discipline, and stewardship qualities for which he would later be known.
Charles attended Florence State Teachers College, now the University of North Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956, majoring in marketing and minoring in economics. In 1956, Charles joined the family business full time. Through his vision, innovation, and tireless work, he helped grow the business into a broad network of family enterprises. In 1962, he began importing fireworks and other merchandise. In 1964, he formed a sourcing company in Hong Kong that would become one of the largest exporters of fireworks from China. In 1972, he was among the first American business leaders invited to trade with China following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China. Under Charles’s leadership, the Anderson family businesses expanded into four highly successful enterprises: Anderson Media, Anderson Press, Books-A-Million, and TNT Fireworks. Charles, however, never let success define him. His greatest priorities remained faith, family, integrity, and service to others. He often said true success was not measured in wealth, but in happiness found through serving others and cherishing family. His leadership was always marked by humility, generosity, and a genuine desire to make life better for those around him. In 1987, Charles became chairman of ANCO Management Services. After serving for decades as the heart of the Anderson family-founded portfolio of companies, Charles became chairman emeritus and remained an active mentor to succeeding generations until his death.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Charles generously gave of his time, resources, and talents to his community and to Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he was a faithful member for many years. He served on numerous boards, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Heritage Trust Fund, and was a charter member of the Shoals Economic Development Authority Board. He was a member of the President’s Cabinet at the University of Alabama and the University of North Alabama’s President’s Cabinet, his alma mater. He was a dedicated supporter of the Salvation Army, serving for many years on the board of the Salvation Army of the Shoals, later expanding to its National Advisory Board. In 2026, he was presented with the prestigious Life Membership award by the Salvation Army in recognition of his outstanding service. He also served on the boards of the First National Bank of Florence, now Truist, and the Alabama Kidney Foundation of Alabama. Charles was executive chairman of the board of First Southern Bank from 2017-2026.
Charles believed deeply in the importance of giving back. He was a generous benefactor to educational institutions, hospitals, libraries, medical research, and countless charitable causes. The family, under Charles’s leadership and example, established the Clyde W. Anderson Scholarship, named in honor of Charles’s father, at the University of North Alabama. An additional scholarship fund was established at the University of Alabama for business majors. Together with his family, Charles made transformative contributions at the university level, supporting both academics and athletics. They generously helped establish the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of North Alabama, creating opportunities for future healthcare professionals and advancing the mission of the university for generations to come. Charles and Hilda also shared a deep commitment to supporting women’s athletics at UNA. Their family’s generosity helped ensure support and development for women’s softball, including the University of North Alabama’s Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium. Likewise, the family endowed the Anderson Athletic Training Center and Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, both at the University of Tennessee. Additionally, the Hilda B. Anderson Endowed Chair in Nephrology was established at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center in honor of Charles’s wife, as well as an endowed chair at UAB in medical education, research, and patient care. Through the Charles and Hilda Anderson Foundation and the Anderson Foundation, Charles remained devoted to supporting literacy, education, healthcare, and opportunities for others. Yet Charles never sought recognition for his generosity. He gave because he believed that blessings were meant to be shared. He faithfully followed the Anderson Credo: “There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
His many honors reflected the respect and admiration he earned throughout his life. Among his honors were being named University of North Alabama Alumni of the Year in 1979, being inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2002, and being inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2011. He was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association in 2015 and recognized as the Shoals Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2016. Also in 2016, he was a Walk of Honor inductee, selected among individuals in Florence and Lauderdale County in Alabama for having achieved national or international acclaim. In 2018, the University of North Alabama awarded him an honorary doctorate degree, recognizing his extraordinary achievements and his commitment to excellence. He was an avid coin collector, served as president of the Alabama Numismatic Association, and in 2021 was included in the inaugural list of the Most Influential People in Numismatics by Coin World magazine. In 2023, he was elected as an honorary life fellow of the American Numismatic Society, a prestigious society of fellows and honorary fellows limited to only 225 in number combined. In 2024, he was named Numismatist of the Century by COINage Magazine, and in 2025, he was honored by Business Alabama as one of five recipients of the Business Alabama Lifetime Achievement Award.
Charles leaves behind a remarkable legacy of entrepreneurship, generosity, and family devotion. His life’s work shaped industries, strengthened his community, and inspired generations. He was a powerful example of a man of deep faith, love, strength, and humble leadership. He believed in hard work, lifelong learning, and living a life of purpose, values he exemplified every day. He was a man who led not only with vision, but also with kindness and faith.
The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Lyman Mitchell for his many years of extraordinary care and compassion shown to Charles and his late wife, Hilda. They also thank Dr. William Heaton, as well as Dr. Amitkumar Mehta and Dr. Gaurav Jain at UAB for their exceptional medical care. In addition, the family is grateful to Charles’s caregiver, Gilda Meza, Mike Carter, and Hugh Thomas for their faithful devotion and love that never faltered, and to Gabriel Rardon for his care and skill.
The family will receive visitors Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 9:30 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1520 Rickwood Road, Florence, with Reverends Edward “Trey” Suey III and Susan Parker officiating. A memorial service will follow immediately afterward in the sanctuary. In a private ceremony, Charles’s ashes will be scattered in the same cherished place as his beloved wife, overlooking their koi pond.
Honorary pallbearers will be Marty Abroms, Joe Beaver, Tommy Glasgow, Henry King, Donnie Oldham, Todd Ouellette, George Pillow, and Peter Yu.
For those desiring to make a donation in memory of Charles, please consider a gift to the Alabama Kidney Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2883, Florence, Alabama 35630, the Salvation Army of the Shoals, 1601 Huntsville Road, Florence, Alabama 35630, or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1520 Rickwood Road, Florence, Alabama 35630.
