Charles “Charlie” J. Lewis, 72, of Limestone, earned his angel wings on November 14, 2020, at Franklin Woods Hospital.
Charlie was a loving husband of 46 years to Carolyn Taylor Lewis. He was a wonderful father, granddaddy, brother and uncle.
Charlie graduated from Washington College Academy in 1966 and earned a degree in fire science from Walters State Community College. He served in numerous capacities in local and state fire associations. It was his passion for the fire-fighting that led him to his career as an instructor and training coordinator with the Tennessee Fire Academy. Charlie was a well-known and well-respected advocate and mentor for the Fire Fighters’ Brotherhood.
In addition to his wife, Charlie is survived by a son, Stephen (Carrie) Lewis of
Limestone, a daughter, Kelly (John) Lemmons of New Market, four grandchildren, Carter Lewis, Eli Lewis, Samuel Lemmons and Rachel Lemmons, two sisters, Jane (Donnie) Bailey and Judy (Joe) Archer, a sister-in-law, Rebecca Taylor, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ordray “Bingham” and Dorothy Baldwin Lewis.
Charlie was an active member of the Salem Presbyterian Church. He served as an elder, deacon and trustee. Charlie was also a lifetime member of the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department and served as a former fire chief.
Memorials in his honor may be made to Limestone Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. Box 5, Limestone, TN 37681, or the Salem Cemetery fund at C/O Frank Huscroft, 122 Crawford Road, Telford, TN 37690.
Graveside service will be Wednesday November 18, 2020 at Salem Cemetery at 2:00 PM with Santo Cicirello and Rev. Robert White officiating. Family and friends wishing to go in procession to the cemetery please meet at the funeral home by 1:15 pm.
11/20/2020
Susan Gillis Bennett
Carolyn and family, so sorry, sending love and prayers to you all dear special family.
11/19/2020
Wayne W Waggoner
Charlie was a great instructor and all around good person - he will be missed by his Family and Many Many Friends Rest in Peace Charlie
11/19/2020
Wassan Broyles
Hey guys, sorry to hear about Charlie. Charlie was a fine asset to our community and will truly be missed. He has spent many hours to make where we live a better place giving his time and talent to help others when needed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Charlie Lewis. May God bless you all now and forever and remember, he will live forever in our hearts, Wassan and Vickie Broyles.
11/19/2020
Charles M. Vance
I am Charles M. Vance a retired Fire Assistant Chief with the Nashville F D. I had the pleasure of working with and knowing Charlie since Smokey Mountain Weekend at Sevierville High School. He was dedicated, and devoted to training and had a passion for making the next generation of firefighters better equipped to handle all the emergencies they would encounter. Charlie Lewis is the reason that Smokey Mountain weekend has grown stronger and better over the years even to the present. I also had the pleasure of working with Charlie during Tennessee Weekend at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg Md. I also had connections with Charrlie will serving on the Fire Commission. I am sad to hear of Charlie's death . I will miss him. He had a place in my heart. To you the family May the LORD be with you and comfort you in to the future..
GOD BLESS
Judy and Jane, I hadn't heard about your losing Charlie until just a short time ago when Patty, who had found out shortly before that and let me know. We both just want you to know that we're thinking about you and that we love you and miss you.
11/18/2020
Barbara Ann Pelfrey , first cousin of Charles.
We were the first grandchildren of Bill and Dollie Baldwin. We had a wonderful childhood filled with great memories of visiting MaMaw & Papaw's house. We paved the way for the rest of the grandchildren. We came from good stock and it molded Charles into the good man he became. Charles and the others in our family who have gone before us will be missed. I can only hope the DNA will continue for generations to come and we will make good of the blessing we have received.
11/18/2020
Barbara Austin Morgan
Janie and Judy and entire family, I was sorry to hear of Charles passing. May God Bless each of you in your sorrow. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers! Love you, Barbara
I was saddened to hear of Charlie's passing. He was not only my mentor, but a very close friend to me and my family. We thought the world of you and Charlie. Charlie was the reason that I became an instructor for the fire service. He influenced not only my career, but also my life. He will be greatly missed.
11/18/2020
Carolyn Whitson
Charles was such a good man. I went to school with him. I’m so sorry for your loss prayers for Carolyn and all the family.
Charlie was a valuable mentor to me as I was a young, untrained, and inexperienced fire officer trying to build a professional and well-equipped fire department. His training, guidance and advice taught me much about firefighting and leadership, and I know that same assistance was repeated many times over for other firefighters and fire departments in our area. Our entire community owes him a tremendous debt of gratitude. Carolyn and Steven, thanks for sharing him with us many days, nights, and weekends, and take comfort in knowing the impact he had on many of us will not be soon forgotten.
The Fire Service is so thankful for Charlie and all the knowledge he shared over the years. Prayers for the Family and Friends.
11/17/2020
Patsy Pugh Denton
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Charlie, prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
11/17/2020
James&Tina&TJ McCracken
So sorry for your loss . He was a good man , he will be truly miss. Prayers are with you and your family .
11/17/2020
Chief Keith Large Cocke County Fire Department
Charlie and i go back to when i went to Tennessee State Fire School in 1992 as he was one of the instructors there, and also he kept in-touch with our department over the years and also when we met at Fire Commission meetings. Charlie...Rest In Peace,and see you on the other side.
11/17/2020
Charles M. Vance
I am a retired Assistant Chief from the Nashville Fire Department. I meet Charlie when I begin helping with the Firefighters Memorial at Smokey Mountain Weekend at Sevierville High School. I continued helping Charlie during the Tennessee Weekend for firefighters at The National Fire Academy. I was also a commission member with the Fire Commission during part of his tenure with the State as an instructor. Charlie was always a very pleasant person to work with, very dedicated and passionate concerning the training of the next generation of firefighters. Charlie was very well respected across our state. I am very sad of his death. I will miss him. To you the family you have nothing to be ashamed of in him doing his job to perfection.
Charlie was always there to help all the firefighters. He blazed trails for others to follow in the training of firefighters.
May the LORD give you peace and comfort .
11/17/2020
Pauline and Dick McMackin
Carolyn and family, we are praying for you all! May God bless you during this time!
So sorry for your loss.
Carolyn and all the family you are in my thoughts and prayers and I am sorry for your loss
11/17/2020
STELLA Turnmire-Lewis
Jan and Judy i am sorry the lost of your brother my prayers r with guys with during this time
Great man. Cared more about fire science and his men that most. Fly high.
Rest well Sir, you have completed your assignment with us and your legacy will live on with all of us. As always you was ahead of your time and most of the fireman in TN can thank you for their training. We will take it from here Chief. We all know that you will be watching over us. Until we meet again.
11/17/2020
Ryan, Malinda, Susanna & Simon Holt
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you, Carolyn for sharing Charlie with so many of our families. Love to you.
So sorry for your loss, your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
11/17/2020
Cherie Matthews
Carolyn and Family, I am Heartbroken to learn of your loss! Charlie was truly a "REMARKABLE, "GREAT MAN" who touched many Hearts and Lives! As he professionally trained many hundreds of firefighters throughout his career, one can only imagine the lives he helped to save. My continued Heartfelt Prayers for your family.
Cherie Matthews
The Simmons' family extend our deepest condolences to Carolyn, the children and grandchildren upon their loss. Charlie was a good man and a well-loved member of the Limestone community, and he will be missed by many.
11/16/2020
Hilda Carter Bryant
Prayers and Sympathy for you and your family.
11/16/2020
New Market Elementary School
Our thoughts and prayers for your family.
Please tell Samuel and Rachel we love them.
11/16/2020
Cherie Matthews
Carolyn and Family, I am Heartbroken to learn of your loss! Charlie was truly a "REMARKABLE, "GREAT MAN" who touched many Hearts and Lives! As he professionally trained many hundreds of firefighters throughout his career, one can only imagine the lives he helped to save. My continued Heartfelt Prayers for your family.
Cherie Matthews
Carolyn, my deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
