Charles Hollinsworth

Charles Hollingsworth was born on May 10, 1933 in Franklin, Georgia in the house where his parents (Theodore and Mamie Hollingsworth) lived as sharecroppers. A midwife helped bring Charlie Frank Hollingsworth into this world. Charlie passed away on September 19, 2015 in his home of nearly 40 years. Charlie's Angels, Karen (his wife), Melanie and Stacie (his stepdaughters), Miranda (his granddaughter) and Myah (family friend), guided him on the journey to his heavenly home. Charlie was hospitalized for 8 days with both congestive heart failure and renal failure. He was stabilized and sent home under hospice care, honoring his wish to spend his final days at home. Charlie was an inquisitive child at the age of 9. He was driving the family car to church on Sunday and occasionally his neighbor Nancy to the country store down a bumpy dirt road. Charlie would stand next to the driver on the bus he rode to school, as copilot, instructing the driver when to engage the clutch and actually changing the gears, enabling them to reach the top of the hill without stalling the engine. Charlie also operated the door greeting each student as they boarded the bus. Charlie controlled the reins to the harness that were attached to a mule pulling a plow that furrowed the cotton fields. The cotton was sold at market to sustain the family another year. In 1952 at the age of 19, Charlie spent the summer with his Uncle Marvin in Dayton, Ohio, which was near Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Charlie worked in a restaurant that was popular with military personnel. It was during this time that Charlie admired the camaraderie of the men in uniform and was drawn to the intrigue of adventure of a life beyond looking at the backside of a mule. In 1953, at the age of 20, Charlie enlisted in the Air Force, despite the fact the Korean Conflict was posing a threat to all who were brave enough to face the danger of war. Aircraft Maintenance was Charlie's career field. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and retired in 1975 having served his country for 22 years and 8 months. Shortly after retiring from the Air Force, Charlie enrolled at Yuba College acquiring 62 units with a major in the Administration of Justice. Charlie did not seek a career using his education, just having the knowledge satisfied him. In 1977, Charlie began another chapter in his life working for Yuba County Public Works Department. This position began in a corner of the basement of the courthouse and later moved to what is now a building which houses an incentive program for troubled youth. Charlie was responsible for preventative maintenance, registration and general repair for a fleet of cars belonging to various county departments including the Sheriff's Department. Charlie's second retirement began in August of 1997, having worked for the county 20 years. Yes, Charlie was a triple dipper. In 1997, he also began receiving Social Security benefits. His life was well lived. Charlie leaves behind Karen Tugend Hollingsworth, his wife and companion of 28 years; (her sisters Ginger, Dona, Janet, Zelda and brothers Farley and Kerry); Melanie and Stacie Tugend (stepdaughters); Miranda and Isaiah (grandchildren); Floyd Bonton Jr. and Natasha Brannon (stepchildren); his family in Georgia (including but not limited to) Rosemary Hollingsworth, Irene Leak, Ludene Daniels; his family in Ohio (including but not limited to) cousins Corene Herring, Taylor Jones and Howard Jones. Memorial services will be held on Monday, October 12, 2015, between 1-3 pm at Winton Community Center, 3740 Hwy. 45, Colusa. -