Charles H. Shackelford

Mr. Charles H. Shackelford, age 89 of Bolivar, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday night, June 3, 2014 at his home.

Mr. Shackelford was born in Prentiss County, Mississippi July 31, 1924 to the late Jesse E. and Dussie Brown Shackelford. On August 1, 1946, he was united in marriage to his first wife, Bama Sue Shackelford, who preceded him in death March 24, 1983. He married Bernice M. Shackelford, who survives, November 1, 1986. He lived in Hardeman County since 1953.

At the age of 19, he was inducted into the United States Army and on January 1, 1945, he boarded the Queen Mary and headed to Glasgow, Scotland on a seven-day journey. When he and his fellow soldiers arrived, they traveled to Germany as replacements for those lost in the Battle of the Bulge. He served as a Browning automatic rifleman and, later, as a military policeman. At the end of his service, he was honorably discharged at Camp Shelby (Miss.) as a corporal.

Working mainly as a farmer and feed mill operator, he owned and operated Bolivar Milling Company for 25 years and worked with livestock and poultry. He also operated a grain elevator and was a buyer and seller of grains for 10 years. He served on the Bolivar City Council for several years, was Fire and Police Commissioner and was a member and past president of the Bolivar Rotary Club. He was also secretary for the Chamber of Commerce for two years and served as vice chairman of the Hardeman County budget committee. He was a member of the Bolivar First Baptist Church, where he served as church treasurer for 11 years, was deacon emeritus and sang in the Golden Sounds Choir.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his daughter, Marcia S. Rudzik (Frank) of Westminster, CO; stepdaughter, Teresa Theiner (Eric) of Collierville; stepson, Jimmy Maxwell (Kathie) of Bolivar; brother, Joe Shackelford (Judy) of Bolivar; sisters, Anita Johns (Herb) of Nanuet, NY, and Sue Lenhardt (Al) of Memphis; grandchild, Sara Copeland (Bert) of Arvada, CO; step grandchildren, Kristi Rogers (Mike) of Memphis, Laura Kane (Steve) of Chuluota, FL, Katie McLean (Spencer) of Memphis, Mary Margaret Lister (Jonathan) of Memphis, and Caroline Maxwell of Mobile, AL; step-great-grandchildren, Kaitlin Rogers, Evan Rogers, Riley Kane, Brody Kane and Maxwell McLean; and eleven nieces and nephews. His family would like to especially thank Mr. Shackelford's caregivers, Marilyn Tackett and Harold Reynolds.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Eric Shackelford, who passed away March 27, 1971; brother, Herman Shackelford; and sisters, Magdalene Caver and Janice Panni.

Donations made in memory of Mr. Shackelford may be sent to the Bolivar First Baptist Church or to Boys Town.