Mr. Charles Everett (Chuck) Lawton, transitioned on September 17th, 2017, in Atlanta, GA.   He was born on the 10th day of November to the late Zealon Ratliff Surrency in Blackshear, GA. The fifth of six children he was preceded in death by Gerald “Butch” in 2002 and Jimmy in 2012.

Charles graduated from Blackshear High School May 1970. He was a good student, popular and very active in school activities. Loving music and sports, Charles was on the basketball team and a member of the both the marching band and a hillbilly band, playing the drums and the fiddle.

After graduation, Charles moved to Atlanta and attended the Atlanta School of Art and Design where he continued to develop other artistic abilities. He attended for a year before leaving to join the U.S. Navy.  He acquired an additional skill and became a surveyor upon leaving the Navy and that was his occupation for several years in Atlanta and southeast Georgia.

In 1990 Charles’ gifts secured him employment with the Hess Oil Company. He was transferred to St. Croix, VI. He lived and worked there for over 20 years before retiring to Atlanta. He also attended college and gifted his mother with his degree.

Charles was a very gifted, and talented person with a lifelong love of music and getting better at doing the things he loved. For the last seven years, he has been living in Atlanta honing other acquired gifts, especially those of making jewelry and web page design. And still, Charles found plenty of time for his music and social skills.

Today, September 25, 2017, we celebrate Charles who was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin partner and friend. Charles leaves to mourn: partner Sherian James, Atlanta, GA; brothers: Johnny Lawton, Dallas, TX; Michael Lawton (Jan), Austin, TX; sister: Sandra Thomas, Blackshear, GA; grandnephew: Jacob Lawton, GA State University; aunts: Mary Lee Robertson, Blackshear, GA; Ruth Taylor, Waycross, GA; a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Johnny says, “Goodbye brother Charles Lawton. You lived life the best you knew how and shared with us the best you had to give- love, faith, loyalty, and wisdom.  Johnny, your big brother who loves you.”

Memorialization was by Cremation.

A memorial service for Charles E. Lawton was held on Monday, September 25, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. in the sanctuary of Rainge Memorial Chapel with the Minister Wade NeSmith delivering words of comfort.

Final and most sacred arrangements are entrusted to the professional care of Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc.