Charles Prestwood

Charles Kenneth “Chuck” Prestwood

Pearl, MS

Charles Kenneth “Chuck” Prestwood peacefully went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 17, 2021.  He was born in Raleigh, MS, to Maggie (Mayfield) and Austin Lee (Buddy) Prestwood Sr. of Mendenhall, MS.  He leaves behind: (a wife of 52 years) Marlise Olivia (Smith) Prestwood, (daughter) Tabitha Darlene Prestwood of Madison, MS, (son) Charles Anthony (Tony) Prestwood (Courtney), of Baton Rouge, LA and (brother) Austin Lee Prestwood, Jr. of Hattiesburg along with a multitude of nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: (daughter) Krishna Marie (Krissy) Prestwood, (five sisters) Annie Lee Ham (Pearl, MS), Catherine Brown (Mendenhall, MS), Tommie Lou Bowen (Raleigh, MS), Jimmie Sue Hartwig (Dilo, MS), and Sari Lott (Magee, MS).

Chuck worked as a Health Care Administrator for 30 years.  In college he organized a singing group call the Him Singers for which he composed the theme song, To Know Him, To Make Him Known.  The group traveled all over the US and Canada singing and giving testimony of God's love in churches.  Summer Neighborhood Bible Classes and working with troubled children were also an important part of the ministry. Many lives were touched including the lives of the singers who were a part of the group over many years. When his daughter, Krissy, died, he and Marlise founded the Jackson Chapter of Compassionate Friends (TCF), a support group for parents who had lost children.  Helping others who had experienced the same loss was Chuck's way of giving meaning to Krissy's death and healing for himself.  He was involved in TCF up until the day of his death.  He served as local chapter leader, Mid-South Reginal Director, National Board member, National Chairman-Ed, a grief workshop presenter, and conference speaker for national and regional conferences.  He was also a founding member of Bereaved Parents USA.  Also, for his work in Patriotic American Youth, he was a four-time recipient of the Liberty Award for the National Conference of Freedom.  In 1974 he received the "Outstanding Young Men of America" award.  Chuck's love, compassion, and the ability to make people laugh made him loved by everyone.  He will be missed.

Someone in the Jackson Chapter of Compassionate Friends wrote, "We may never know how far-reaching Chuck's influence and friendship has been and will continue to be."  His was a life well-lived.

There will be a small private funeral.

In lieu of flowers, Chuck requested that donations be made to The Compassionate Friends, TCF Jackson, MS Chapter, P. O. Box 1396, Jackson, MS 39215.