Charles Ricketts Gwinn, Jr., age 81, of Aliceville, Alabama died peacefully in his sleep on May 24, 2018 at home. A private family graveside service will be held at 2:30 P.M. at Franconia Oak Grove Cemetery. A memorial service will be immediately following at 3:00 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Aliceville with Pastor Jason Bradley Housewright  and Rev. Dr. Thomas Kay, Jr. officiating and Skelton Funeral Home directing. Visitation will immediately follow the service in the church fellowship hall.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jane Summerville Gwinn of Aliceville, AL; a daughter, Anna Gwinn Whitfill and husband, Martin, of Cumming, GA; a son, Charles Ricketts Gwinn, III of Hoschton, GA; three grandchildren, Andrew Olan Whitfill, Elizabeth Ann Gwinn and Sarah Jane Milford Gwinn; sisters Duane Chadwick and her husband Jack of Bethel, DE, Rebecca Gordon of Dallas, TX and Sue Ellen Collins of Bethel, DE; first cousin, Charles Dayton Hylton, III; and brother-in-law, Hugh Holmes Summerville, Jr. and wife Lena of Aliceville; 13 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Charles Ricketts and Mary Lucille Gwinn and sister Wykle Ann Woody.

Chuck, a native of Huntington, West Virginia was educated at East Huntington High School, Marshall University, and Stonier Graduate School of Banking in Rutgers, NJ. While he was in college, he was involved in numerous activities and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

After his education, he was actively engaged in a banking and finance career over the next forty years. Prior to moving to Aliceville, he had been involved in banking in Charlotte, NC, Hickory, NC and Greenville, MS. He moved to Aliceville to join Aliceville Bank and Trust Co. and later served as President, Chief Executive Officer and on the board of directors. After a merger with West Alabama Bank and Trust, he was President of the Aliceville office and on the board of directors until he retired. After retirement, he started Pickens Loan Company which he ran for several years.

While in banking, he served on the Executive Council of the Young Bankers Division of the Mississippi Banker's Association for several years and as a representative of the Aliceville bank to various committees in the Alabama Bankers Association.

Chuck was ordained as a Deacon in the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, MS and served many years there and at the First Presbyterian Church of Aliceville.  He served on various committees, as Superintendent of Sunday School, a youth adviser, and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Deacons.

His military service included six years in the Army Reserve.

He was active in scouting and was a scoutmaster for several years for his son's troop. He was on various district and council committees of the Delta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Chuck was always active in community service in each of the cities where he lived. He held numerous positions of leadership in various organizations including being on the board of Pickens Co. Industrial Committee, Greenville Industrial Foundation, Aliceville and Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Washington Co. YMCA, Greenville Golf and Country Club, Rotary Club, Aliceville Museum and Cultural Arts Center, Washington School, Greenville Symphony Association, and Washington Co. Library System. He also served as President of the Trustee Division of the MS Public Library Association.  He was Chairman of the Heart Fund, Cancer Fund, and United Way and was involved in other charitable events. He was chosen to be in the Personalities of the South and Republican Senatorial Inner Circle.

The joy of his life was his family. He was a devoted husband, wonderful father, and loving grandfather. Chuck had a great love and compassion for animals – especially his six Labrador Retrievers. And, he honored all the family pets by building a special pet cemetery. He enjoyed nature and feeding animals of all kinds. He loved all history but had a special interest in the Civil War and World War II. He was also an avid book and hat collector. Playing tennis, watching Alabama football, and giving hugs and kisses were other favorite activities.

Chuck always kept a positive attitude even through many difficult health issues, and he always had a smile for everyone no matter how he was feeling. He was a true gentleman with a generous spirit and a kind, caring, good heart. He was always a faithful friend and considerate to all he met. His grandchildren will always remember Pop as sweet, giving, loving, smart, and funny. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Pallbearers will be Mike Farmer, David Hughes, Bob Owens, John Paluzzi, Jim Park, and Dale Robbins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Oak Grove Franconia Perpetual Care Trust, PO Box 344, Aliceville, AL 35442, First Presbyterian Church of Aliceville, 342 Broad Street NE, Aliceville, AL 35442, or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, michaeljfox.org.