Charlene Eaker Briley

Charlene Eaker Briley was born on March 25, 1931 in McNairy County, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Willie T. Eaker and Beatrice Tate Eaker-Hughes.

On August 30, 1957, she was united in marriage to Billy Briley, who survives. She loved her husband Billy, but not necessarily all of his jokes.

Charlene loved God and loved her church, Hopewell Baptist Church in Savannah, Tennessee. She joined Hopewell in 1959 and served as a choir member and Sunday School teacher for many years. She was also a member of "The Redeemers" quartet from 1970 until 1978.

Mrs. Briley was a well-known seamstress in the community, and a pretty good hairdresser as well, doing everything from perms to haircuts. She was also a fantastic cook; her chicken and dumplins, goulash, chocolate gravy, dressing, and banana pudding were out of this world.

Charlene loved her family dearly. She enjoyed going on family vacations to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri and riding all the rides at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. She was affectionately known by her grandchildren as "Nona" and she would often stay up until 1:00 AM to play Yahtzee, Uno, and dominoes with them. Her granddaughter, Falin, remembers her Nona made sure to be at every basketball game and beauty pageant that she was in. Charlene even handmade the dresses Falin wore in the pageants.

Charlene Eaker Briley departed this life on March 13, 2025 in Savannah, Tennessee, at the age of 93 years, 11 months, and 16 days.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Billy Briley of Savannah, Tennessee; son, James Brewington and his wife Patricia of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; daughter, Debbie Hardin and her husband Tommy of Savannah, Tennessee; grandchildren, Michelle Jenkins and her husband Kevin, Rocky Ford and his wife Brandie, and Falin Collard and her husband Nathanael; great grandchildren, C.J. and his wife Ciara, Phoenix, Jensen, Halle, James, Zachery, Lynsee, David, and Cheyene; and 7 great great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Charlene was preceded in death by her brothers, Dan Eaker, Lenard Eaker, and John-William Eaker and great grandchild, Montana Skye McCoy.