In remembrance of Charles Vincent, a worship service will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Friday, July 10th at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Dennis Gossett and Rev. Jimmy Harrison will officiate, with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Burial will follow at Pine Springs Southern Methodist Church Cemetery. Mr. Vincent, 82, died Monday, July 6, 2015 at his Meridian home. A life-long resident of Lauderdale County, Charles was the only boy born into a household of multiple girls, including a twin sister. He grew up in the Pine Springs community, was a graduate of Center Hill High School, a Korean War veteran and the 25+ year owner of Vincent's Fire Extinguishers. In addition, his professional career included employment with Meridian Public Schools and Risher Radio Supply. Active as a volunteer and affiliate of civic organizations, Mr. Vincent will be remembered most for his faithfulness as a member of Central United Methodist Church. Unless he and Mary Ann were on the road RVing or Benjamin's activities had them elsewhere, he was serving in some capacity at Central. Greeting for morning worship was his passion and it was during those times that everyone who was welcomed by him received a tangible gift of something sweet, usually butterscotch candy. His supply was limitless for the giving of the candy extended through the halls and up the stairs where his Shields Sunday School classmates always had a hand out. One day prior to his death, he gave a fellow parishioner an extra piece of candy and told her that it was "one to get you home." For more years than anyone can remember, Mr. Vincent assisted with Central's Circle of Friends, an outreach ministry for individuals receiving services at East MS State Hospital. He was also active in a weekly Central gathering called Lunch Bunch. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Chafin Vincent, daughter, Peggy Vincent Eakes, grandson, Benjamin Eakes, his twin sister, Charlene Vincent Clayton, numerous nieces and nephews and countless numbers of God's children who received that candy from his pocket, biscuits and doughnuts at doctor's offices, pears from a tree just outside the door of his home, a laminated newspaper clipping, something from his wood-working shop, or the ultimate Charles Vincent gift, a Mississippi map clock! One would be hard-pressed to find someone who received more by giving than Mr. Vincent. He was the epitome of talented humility and a reflection of everything God wants for us all. He loved his neighbor beyond himself. Just last week, he did five grass cuttings as a gift of service for others. Mr. Vincent was preceded in death by immediate family members Charles Benjamin Vincent, Sr. and Adele Walston Vincent, his parents, and Dot, Mae Delle, Mable and Nannie Claire, his beloved sisters. The family requests that memorials be made to the Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund at Anderson Regional Cancer Center or to children's and/or youth ministries at Central United Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be Dr. Todd Clayton, Benjamin Eakes, John Eakes, Willie Hudnall, Harold Irby, Melvin Irby, Glenn Parker and Philip Price. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Good Sam Camping Club. Visitation will be Thursday, July 9th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, and on Friday, one hour prior to the services at Central United Methodist Church. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at robertbarhamffh.com
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