Charles Johnson Tidwell, Sr., 89, died in his sleep at the Mitchell Center at United Methodist Senior Services after several years of declining health. A native of Lafayette County, Charles was born to Burney Johnson Tidwell and Annis Cuebell Mills Tidwell. As a teenager, the family relocated to Memphis where Charles attended public schools and Business School there. He married Peggy Robbins on March 13, 1948. A patriotic American, he served his country in the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict serving two years in Providence, Rhode Island receiving an honorable discharge. He and his late wife, Peggy, moved to Tupelo in l958 where he began working for Dana Hodges Company. Upon his retirement, he had worked 45 years for Super Sagless/Leggett and Platt Companies advancing to the Regional Sales Manager position. He made many friends in the furniture and furniture supply industry over his many years of service. Charles loved the outdoors and made Pickwick his permanent home in 1979. He and his family spent many wonderful days there skiing, boating and fishing. In their younger years Charles and Peggy even made their own skis and ropes and left a wonderful legacy of loving water sports to their son and grandsons. A quiet, genial soul, he never met a stranger and was always a giving people person willing to help anyone. He was a former member of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo and a member of the First Baptist Church in Iuka.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 3 PM Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Rev. Smith Lilley officiating. Private burial will be at Lee Memorial Park. Visitation is from 2 PM-service time on Sunday only at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.
Charles is survived by his only son, Charles J. “Chuck” Tidwell and his wife, Lynn of Tupelo and their two sons, Chad Tidwell of Brandon and Clark Tidwell of Tupelo. nephews, David Tidwell (Ann) of Naples, FL, Steve Tidwell (Gena) of Collierville, TN and Bob Payne (Brenda) of Germantown, TN and a special friend, Barbara Carpenter of Iuka. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy on August 31, 1988; a brother, Kelly Tidwell, two sisters in law, Evelyn Tidwell and Nancy Corbet. The family expresses gratitude to their extended family and caregivers at Avon Lea and the Mitchell Center.
Honorary pallbearers will be Chad, Clark, David, Steve, Brannon, and Travis Tidwell, Bob and John Payne, and Tim Talley.
Memorials may be made to Helping Hands Ministry, c/o First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 432, Tupelo, MS. 38802 or to the First Baptist Church, 101 W. Eastport St., Iuka, MS. 38852.
