James Charles George

Charles passed away peacefully in the early morning of November 6, 2022, at the Care Partners Solace Center in Asheville, NC.  He was preceded in death by his parents C.N. George and Margie Brank, a brother David George, and a daughter Jessica George.  He leaves behind his wife, Theresa, two daughters, Rachel Payne (husband Keith) and Ann Stephens (Husband David), a brother Donald George (wife Debbie), a sister Carla Long (husband David), six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  He also left behind four stepbrothers Brian, Kenneth, Darrell, and Frank Brank.

He was a man of many talents and interests with a long career in education.  He was a teacher, educator, principal, and mentor, who loved haring his knowledge and experience and life lessons with his students and his own kids.  He believed that by giving a child a good education you would be giving that child the valuable tools needed for it to be able to make its way in the world.

Charles enjoyed photography and music, spending free time photographing the beauty of this area and hiking the trails of WNC.  He and his wife had a bucket list of bands, musicians, and artists they wanted to hear and see, and were successful in seeing all of them except the elusive Van Morrison.  He spent many relaxing evenings picking and strumming his guitar and listening to old vinyl LP’s.  Music was his second language.

He was the father every child should have.  He wrote each of his children a poem upon their birth and presented that poem to them later in life.  He always felt that each child was born perfect and that it was his job no to mess it up but to help each child to find their own talents and gifts and pursue and develop these.  He was a kind, strong rock who would hold his family close to weather any storm.  He was often called “my big, strong daddy” by his daughters while being held in his big strong arms.

He took his role as husband and provider seriously.  His devotion and love for his wife and family were his highest priority.  He loved to cook for his family and loved to cook with his kids.  Many times, he would emerge from the kitchen after trying something new with one of his daughters saying, “well, this goes on the menu,” or “that one didn’t make it.”  His big ol’ heart could either be filled with pride and joy or broken into by the love he had for his family during trying times.

Charles George was love personified and although he will be missed here in this physical world, he will always be with us holding us, with his big ol’ arms and loving us with his big ol’ heart

 Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, November 11, 2022, at the Townson-Smith Chapel.  The Family will receive friends from 12:00 till 2:00 pm at the Chapel prior to the service.  Private Graveside will be held later at Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

 Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the George Family.  An online register is available at www.townson-smithfuneralhome.com.