Charles Fletcher – Friend of the Blind Pig and The Acorn
Long time Blind Pig and The Acorn reader and contributor Charles Fletcher passed away on Sunday July 22, 2018. If you’d like to jump over and read his obituary you can go here and if you’d like to let his family know how much you enjoyed his writings go here.
Not long after I first started this blog Charles stumbled upon it and contacted me. We become fast friends. Over the years Charles became friends with all the Blind Pig family. He used to call Pap on a regular basis to talk about the old days and since Pap died he’s called Granny to check on her and see how she’s doing. When I told her Charles passed away she said she’d been looking for him to call her just anytime.
Charles was a prolific writer and wrote many books about growing up in Western North Carolina. He led an amazingly interesting life. From living in the days of the horse and buggy to being a solider in the Battle of the Bulge to helping start the Bowater Paper Corporation Plant in Calhoun, TN. Along with all that, Charles also had a wonderful family.
I’ve shared tons of Charles’ writing on the blog and it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’ll leave you with two links from guest posts he did that would be at the top of my favorite list.
The Medicine Show: I’m still smiling about his mother’s happiness.
Digging the Well: I can just see Aunt Seet running out the door! And who could blame her-talk about being scared to death 🙂
Charles Fletcher was a true blue friend to the Blind Pig and the Acorn and he will be greatly missed.
Tipper
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Charlie was my friend and my bridge partner, we played bridge every Tuesday and went to dinner afterwards , he was an amazing man and I loved him dearly. He had an amazing family that he loved very much. Since Charlie passed away his granddaughter has given birth to a baby girl named Charliejean after Charlie , Charlie would be so proud. I miss him and think about him every day. I have known Charlie since 1969 He and my husband worked together at Bowater. People that did not know him missed a wonderful kind man.
Sue-thank you for sharing! You’re so right he was a great man who had a fascinating life 🙂
Tipper, sorry to hear about Mr. Charles. I did not get to meet him. God Bless!
So Sorry to learn that such a dear family friend has passed from your midst, for I know how that can be … care , thanks for the links to share in knowing about him some and to being thankful for the privilege .
Please convey my condolences to Charles’ family
I had not read any of Charles’ writings before reading this blog. I enjoyed both that Tipper has referenced! Does anyone have a listing of books that he wrote so I may now read them? .. . .Thanks in advance.
Leon-Charles’books include “Out West and Back,” “A Story and a Smile,” “The Panther on Cold Mountain and Other Stories,” “Little Sam Mountain,” “Little Sam Mountain — The Journey,” “The Sheriff,” “Grassy Top Mountain” and “Little Sam Mountain — Living Their Dream.”
His books were and hopefully still are available from Ingram, Amazon.com, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble,
I never got to meet Mr. Fletcher face to face but I will, I know I will!
I’m sorry to hear this. The old folks are a treasure.
Tipper,
I morn for Charles and Pray for his family. I never met him, but I saw him on TV one time interviewing and telling about one of his Books. We exchanged e’mails, I had an Uncle, Archie Pilkington I was asking him about who worked at Champion in Canton, N.C.
Charles will be missed! …Ken
I’ve always enjoyed the writing Mr. Fletcher added to this blog, and will be thinking of his family and friends today.
I never met Charles but I got to know him and his family through his many books and emails. He knew I couldn’t pick up the TN TV channel where he was interviewed a few years ago, so he made a disc and sent it to me. Charles had an amazing memory and I’m glad he shared his stories in books and videos. It’s a sad day to know the intelligent man will no longer be able to make us smile or educate us through his writings.
Always enjoyed Mr. Fletcher’s storytelling in your blog.
Dad and his twin and cousin could have been Fletcher and his friend. Dad and Uncle were born July 22 1920, their cousin a year earlier. Although all still alive, the last few years we haven’t been able to get them together to hear their reminiscences – – I’ve tried to record them; but if they know I’ve “got that machine runnin'”, the stories dry up. Glad Mr. Fletcher wrote his down; they are a treasure!
Thank you, Tipper, for letting us know this sad (for us) news. I know in my heart that Mr. Fletcher and his wife are walking together in the blessed mountains of western North Carolina that he loved so much.
Tipper–I never met Charles but we exchanged a number of e-mails, I wrote an article on his literary endeavors, and I thoroughly enjoyed his periodic postings here. He was a stellar example of the greatest generation and a man who epitomized what it means to have a solid work ethic. His race was one which was well run.
Jim Casada
Sorry to hear of the loss…
His old time knowledge and wisdom will be missed but as TMC said, he’s in the joy now!
Dear Tipper ,
every person who leave us desappers with the memories he had . No way , even if in his life he tried to fix those memories , most of the gold is gone without return . One teacher I had at college ( almost 45 years ago !!) were used to say that something remains in the air of all the experiences and memories of a deceased person . I don’t know if this is true or not but I’d like to be able to pick up some of those experiences !
Regards, Piero
Oh, law! I’m so sorry to read this. He and his writing will be missed.
Well, sadness is on this side, joy is on the other side, no doubt his Wife of many years has been waiting, along with other family and friends, praying for the grieving.