Charlie Drew Thomas

Posted on May 14, 2026

Charlie Drew Thomas was born in Lee, Fla., to Allie Maggie Parker Thomas and Artie Drew Thomas Aug. 28, 1946. He left for the arms of Jesus on May 11, 2026, at the age of 79.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, 11 siblings and one grandson, Cole Thomas of Live Oak, Florida.

Charlie is survived by: his beautiful wife of 54 years, Charlotte; daughter, Gay Howell (Tim); son, Chris Thomas (Ashley); daughter, Cheryl Curry(Chris); lots of precious grandchildren, Jennifer (Charles Baisden), Anna (Samed Hysa), Luke Kallschmidt (Alex), Nathan Kallschmidt (Erin Test), Max Kallschmidt (Makayle), Slade Kallschmidt (Lupa), Zachary Thomas, Susanna Hughes (Hunter), Hannah Claire Curry and Anna Leah Curry; five great-grandchildren, Julian, Joseph, Essie, Kaptain and Charlotte Rose; a sister, Edith Dick (Jeff); and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Charlie was known as “Poppi” to his grandchildren and to many of their friends who he adopted as his other grandchildren,  and he made them laugh a lot!

He played cards, games, watched movies with them and took them to lunch or the store anytime they wanted.

He and his brother, Jerald Thomas, had the first permit to sell peanuts on the streets of Perry in the 1950s.

Charlie worked for FCo Foreman for several years, then he later went to Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, to work with Conrad Peek building colosseums.

He would later work for Coca-Cola, delivering to surrounding counties, Sports Craft and Martin’s as night security, before finally working at P&G (later known as Buckeye) for 21 years as a scales and woodyard operator. He was part of the EPA program before he retired on disability.

His later years were spent enjoying yard saling, picking up golf balls and researching genealogy. Charlie loved Jesus, his wife and family, his grandchildren and he loved to spoil them and he showed up to every event in their lives possible. He was their constant lunch date and he loved getting to see everyone!

Also known by his nickname, “One Note,” Charlie was a lifelong friends with Davis Bennett, Fr. Bob and Diane Marsh, and Sonny O’Quinn.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, May 22, at 2 p.m., at Westside Baptist Church with Jeremy Gray officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 2 p.m.