Charles William Fentress' Obituary
Charles William Fentress, 93, passed from this life into eternal rest surrounded by his family on September 18, 2023 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Juanita Maxey Fentress, daughters Karen Ann Fentress and Elizabeth Fentress Hallmark, son-in-law Brian K. Hallmark, grandchildren Allison A. Hallmark, Charles McClure (Mack) Hallmark, nieces Jane Williams, Gayle Grizzard Allen, Lynn Holt Ragland, nephews Thom Grizzard, Ernest Berry Holt III, James Vance Fentress Jr., Samuel N. Fentress, Mark Kornmesser and a host of cherished nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his beloved sister-in-law, Kathleen Maxey Emch. He is predeceased by parents, Dr. Sam Jones Fentress and Minnie Gee Fentress, siblings Dorothy Grizzard, Samuel Fentress, Virginia Fryer, Margaret Holt, and James V. Fentress.
Charles was born on July 23, 1930, at home, 112 East Cedar Street, Goodlettsville, Tennessee, delivered by his own father, Dr. Sam J. Fentress. Charles graduated from Goodlettsville high school in 1948 after attending The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. He attended Vanderbilt University where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts. He taught school for two years at Issac Litton Junior High where he taught science and served as an assistant coach in football, basketball, and track. He often said that the class of 1958 was the best group of high school students he ever knew; he maintained a life-long contact with these students. After teaching for two years, he joined the Cain-Sloan Company executive training program in the summer of 1956 where he met his beloved wife, Juanita Maxey. They married in 1958 and at his death they had celebrated 65 years of marriage. In 1969, he was promoted to personnel director at Cain-Sloan and to Vice President of Personnel. While at Cain-Sloan Charles continued his education at The Nashville School of Law and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1969.
In 1975, he ran a successful campaign for Nashville Davidson County Metropolitan Council in the 34th district. He served in the council until 1999.
After leaving Cain-Sloan in 1987, he was president of the Argus Foundation, a Nashville political consulting firm. In 1991, he joined the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) as state director for Tennessee, retiring from NFIB in 1998. After his years at the NFIB he did legislative education for the Home Builders of Middle Tennessee.
Charles was active in other community and civic affairs throughout his life, holding membership in the Tennessee Bar Association, Alumni Association of Leadership Nashville, and the Vanderbilt Alumni Association where he was a Quinq. He was a member, and past-president, of the Nashville Boosters, The Nashville Exchange Club, served on the Board of Governors as a member of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Board of the Nashville Memorial Hospital and was a charter member of the philanthropic Memorial Foundation Board. Charles also served on the Board of Junior Achievement, The Children’s Museum and the Visitors Board at Franklin Road Academy.
Faith and family were integral to all Charles did in life and he cared deeply about his community. In addition, he was a life-long athlete and sports enthusiast. During retirement, he loved rounds of golf with friends at the Harpeth Hills Senior Golf group, tending with Juanita to their large vegetable garden, serving as a polling official, spending time with his grandchildren and attending sporting events with his family and close friends. Saturday mornings were often spent with “The Coffee Club” bantering about the political scene. He led a men’s Bible study at Woodmont Christian Church for 35 years, treasuring the friendships formed there. He was an Elder at Woodmont Christian Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church and an Eleder Emeritus of Stephens Valley Church where he was a member until his death.
Visitation will be Thursday September 21, 2023 from 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm at Woodmont Christian Church. The funeral will be held at Woodmont Christian Church on September 22, 2023 from 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm with visitation one hour before. There will be a graveside service on Saturday September 23, 2023 at 11 am. We will be meeting at the funeral home at 10:30 am on Saturday and going out to the burial together at 11 am.
The family would like to thank Blakeford Livewell, Dr. John Peach and his staff, Alive Hospice and the Pharmacy Staff at Brentwood Walgreens for their love and faithful service.
In lieu of flowers memorial can be sent to Stephens Valley Church, Woodmont Christian Church or Alive Hospice.
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