REV. CHARLES L. DENNIS

Reverend Charles L. Dennis, an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church passed away Tuesday morning, January 16, 2018 at his residence. A celebration of the life of Rev. Dennis will be held on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Friendship United Methodist Church with Rev. Norman Dunlap of Columbus, GA, Rev. Kirk Loyless of Mineral Bluff, GA, Rev. Garth Duke-Barton of Donalsonville, GA, and Rev. James Scarborough of Donalsonville, GA officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Charles Dennis was born in Berlin, Maryland on December 19, 1934 to Harvey and Elva Widgeon Dennis. The family moved to Royston, GA where Charles finished high school at Emanuel Academy in Franklin Springs, GA. He received his education at Young Harris College, The University of Mississippi and the Chandler School of Theology at Emory University. Prior to the ministry, Charles was involved in radio broadcasting in Louisville, GA. He was named Mr. Dee-Jay USA by the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville during his radio years. He loved to preach but he also believed music was an arm of God’s ministry. He began singing at an early age and wrote and recorded over 200 songs. One of the joys of his life was singing with the Solid Rock Group in Columbus, GA. In the South Georgia Conference since 1964, Charles served as pastor of Brewton Charge, Newington, Bloomingdale, Butler, Friendship in Donalsonville, Reynolds Chapel at Lake Seminole, and Striplin Terrace in Columbus, GA. He retired from the pastorate to be the United Methodist Church Evangelist. He was privileged to preach and sing all over the USA and many foreign countries including: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and St. Kitts Island. But his true love was the Navajos. He made several trips yearly to the reservation in New Mexico. Through his ministry he provided several vehicles for Navajo ministers, sent students to school, built and repaired churches and homes. He was selected by his fellow evangelists to be the President of the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists. During this time he was awarded the very prestigious Phillips Award and a few years later he was privileged to be able to present the Phillips Award to Franklin Graham. Charles leaves his wife, Verna and their three children, Jimmy “Tub” and Pam Dennis, Van and Michele Dennis, and Tiffany and Edwin Ross. Mr. Dennis is survived by his grandchildren, Chad and Ashley White, Reid and Josie Dennis, Erin Ross, Carter Ross, Kaitlyn Ross, Carson Ross, Megan Lane, Renea Cook, and Jonathan Simmons; as well as 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Robert Dennis of Norman, OK and two sisters, Betty Meeks of the Villages, FL and Jackie Cleveland of Bradenton, FL and several nieces and nephews. Rev. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Vivian and Barbara Dennis and Julia James. Memorials may be made in his memory to FUMC in Donalsonville, The Lung Association or St. Jude Childrens Hospital.