Charles Schropshire

Charles Augustus Lindbergh Schropshire, 86, of Chattanooga, transitioned peacefully at home to eternal life on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Charles accepted Christ and was baptized not at an early age, but later in life; an event his wife and children were able to witness. Charles retired after 31 years at Combustion Engineering and became the owner and operator of Charles Auto Service. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. A south side resident all his life Charles was a champion, advocate, lobbyist and activist for the Southside and Alton Park Community. Charles only had a six (6) grade education, but he had a PH.D in "a jack of all trades." He is the son of Frederick and Estella [Rucker] Shropshire, both whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Elyse (Eugene) Schropshire-Rodgers, Houston, Texas; sisters, Frances (Ulysses) Neville, Freddie Mae Green, and brother, Frederick Shropshire Jr., all of Chattanooga. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Eddie Louise [Ware] Schropshire; son, Gill (Katherine) Schropshire, Chattanooga, and daughter, Vnita Shropshire-Qualls, Atlanta; sisters, Shirley (Leonard) Dixon and Dorothy Talley, Chattanooga; Grandchildren, Kevin Schropshire, Tampa, Anthony Qualls, Sharia (Vincent) Blake, Chattanooga, Cotrell Qualls, Atlanta, Akanni Cole and Adarrius Rodgers, Houston; eight great-grandchildren; scores of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Special thanks to the Green and Womble families. The family will persevere, remembering how "Uncle" Charles (with that cigar pressed between his teeth), always encouraged us with: "Nothing beats a failure but a try." Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 1 p.m. at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, on Dodds Ave. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. The body will lie in state after 12 p.m. today and the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.