Saying goodbye to Charlie
Charlie Jennings passed away Monday, May 23, 2016 at the age of 66.
Charlie was often seen hand-delivering lunch from local restaurants to offices in the Darlington County Courthouse and downtown area, Charlie was known to all by his tall, lanky gait and a smile that lit up a room.
A frequent visitor to the News and Press, Charlie was good about coming in and sharing jokes – always given with perfect comedic timing. Some were a bit off-color, but he’d warn you ahead of time. He usually told them twice because he wanted to laugh again. I guess he wanted you to laugh again, too.
He came into our office last March wearing bright green glasses and a tall green and white Irish hat. “I bet you’ve never seen a tall, black leprechaun before, have you?” he asked.
Then of course, he asked me to take his picture.
I looked at it again when I read he had passed away, and wished I had taken a video of him telling his jokes.
He predicted the winners of the last few political elections in the area, and was known for “telling it like it is”… he’d never be accused of being shy, or politically correct.
Cancer may have made him uncomfortable; he was often in pain, but Charlie never complained. He preferred to “keep on keepin’ on” and never let it get him down.
We know he is at peace now, but there will be no rest in Heaven for Charlie. No doubt he entered the gate to see a row of friends, from judges to janitors, young and old. Everyone was a friend to Charlie.
And isn’t there a lesson in that? Charlie didn’t really see the color of anyone’s skin. He really didn’t care if you were wealthy, or not. He just looked at you, sized you up, and figured out for himself if you were worthy to talk to. And if you were lucky, he did. And even better if he’d tell you a joke, or two.
We sure will miss seeing you, Charlie.
You were one of a kind.