J.W. "Bud" Charles, Sr.

J.W. “Bud” Charles, Sr., 82, of Lonoke passed away, July 10, 2023.  He was born on October 11,1940 in Keo, Arkansas to the late Lucille (Stane) and Carroll Charles.  Bud was preceded in death by two brothers:  Harold Wayne Charles and Carroll Lee “Sonny” Charles; and his wife, Barbara Jean Charles.

He was a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and friend. A true man of integrity and strength. Always lending a helping hand. His favorite thing was to tell you about Jesus. He loved to watch his grandchildren play. He would take them to the lake to swim and before he would let them get to far out in the water he would say, " here now that water is over your head." They would laugh, making laps around the yard with mower not cutting any grass. Then the Saturday nights Hillary, Shelby, and Gabby spending the night going to Sunday service when their hair was all rolled up, they would proceed to roll papa's hair for church. The deer hunting trip with grandsons that were mostly sitting around eating and telling what were some tall tales. Bro, Charles because ordained minister in 1992 and he loved to tell you all about the word of God. He kept your attention from the pulpit with his down-home humor and antidotes. His love for people and their salvation was what drove his passion to serve the Lord. Brother Charles was a master electric and worked for Essick Air Products. He also worked for Southern Farmers Feed Company, Rudy Patrick Seed Company, Coke Cola, City of North Little Rock Parks and Recreations, Pulaski County school bus. He owned and operated Charles Hardware and Feed Store, Charles Rental Property, Charles Heat and Air. He was definitely a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. He played church softball, participated in church plays as a wiseman or shepherd; drove a broken church bus with kids to a youth conference in the snow with no wipers. A vacation trip with two his oldest grandchildren Susanne and Trey was very memorable. They laughed and big trucks honking horns to the strange smell that illuminated from the vehicle after dinner at their favorite restaurant Bob Evans. So, you see Bro. Charles was a lot more than a husband and father but a friend and mentor to all to always live your best life and love the Lord with all your heart. 

Survivors include their children:  Diana “Rochelle” Harvey and J.W. “Buddy” Charles (Elizabeth); five grandchildren:  Susanne Hill (Jerrod), J.W. “Trey” Charles (Lauren), Hillary Jenkins, Shelby Smith (TJ), and Gabrielle “Gabby” Hoffman (Michael); twelve great-grandchildren:  DJ, Rosie, Charlie, Jaxon, Magnolia, Joe, Isabella, Wyatt, Sara, Annabelle, Wesley and Emily; two sisters, Eloise Davison, Mary Swaim and one brother, Richard Charles (Linda).

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Funeral will begin at 11:30 AM, Friday, July 14, 2023 at the funeral home with entombment to follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park.

Service entrusted to North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR  72114.