Remembering Charles Winkler

Today, we gather to remember and honor the life of Charles Xenia Winkler, a beloved husband, father, Pop-Pop, brother, and friend. Charles, born on December 23, 1942, lived a life marked by the love of his family and cherished memories. Born to Nellie Seals and Xenia Winkler, Charles was the oldest of three boys. Growing up just north of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tazwell, Tennessee, he and his brothers Roger and Dennis enjoyed fishing, farming, and camping. One weekend’s fishing trip even earned Charles a photo highlight in the local paper, proudly holding his fish. Into young adulthood, fishing remained a passion, even mounting his largest bass for display. In 1965, Charles relocated to Jonesboro, Georgia to work for the Ford Motor Company. There, he spent three decades in the Paint and Body Department and retired after 30 years of dedicated service. Far more impressive than his professional career though, was his 61 years of marriage to his devoted wife, Helen. Meeting as teens they quickly married and began building their family and life together. Their bond was a testament to the enduring power of love, weathering life's storms with strength and grace. Together they had four children Tammy (Darryl Mullins), Sherry (Kevin Williams), Angela (Pedro Almader), and Charles (Rebecca Winkler). They were blessed with 10 grandchildren Lauren (Jeff Gold), Amber (Austin Mason), Lance (Mullins), Kathryn (Mullins), Leslie (Almader), Rachel (Williams), Lola (Winkler), Moriah (Almader), Emmie (Winkler), Tabitha (Almader), and one great-grandchild Rylie (Gold). Pop-Pop liked the house loud and chaotic. The sight of racing kiddos and the sounds of their laughter never failed to bring a smile to his face. While their parents were saying, “Tone it down or take it outside,” he gave them a wink and a nod of encouragement…oh, and a piece of candy…as they ran by. Regardless of building their lives in Georgia, Charles took his family home to Tennessee every weekend for decades. Establishing the strong importance of quality time with family in his children throughout their youth. As a lover of NASCAR, these weekly road trips gave Charles practice as a real race car driver right there on I-75. Encouraging his enthusiasm for speed and competition, he even earned the name Road Runner among truckers on the CB radio waves. Anyone who knew Charles knew that the flea market was his favorite place to be. There were few things we enjoyed more than wheeling and dealing…except maybe that of a fried bologna sandwich or a charred steak from Ponderosa, Bonanza, or- in the later year, Golden Corral, or Ryan’s Steakhouse! His weekends spent at the flea market fostered many friendships. As well as, an art for swift negotiation. Charles peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024 surrounded by family, just in time for what we can only imagine is a spectacular Easter celebration in Glory.