Charlie Flowers: loved by all who knew him

Charlie Flowers, speaking at MSHOF’s Toast to the 1959 Ole Miss Rebels in the fall of 2013.

Flavy Charles (Charlie) Flowers, 77, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He is survived by Sharon, his loving wife of 55 years, daughters Julie Ock and Ashley Flowers, son Charlie, Jr., eight grandchildren, his sister Gloria Stroud, and nieces and nephews.

Charlie was born in Marianna, AR and attended the University of Mississippi from 1956-59 where he played fullback for the “Team of the Century”.  He was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Ole Miss Hall of Fame. Charlie received the Distinguished American Award from the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation in 1985. In 1997, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.  He was a consensus All-American and a two-time Academic All-American.  Charlie always credited the abilities of his teammates for his success. He received his law degree from Ole Miss in 1962. He played professionally for the San Diego Chargers for almost three years before returning home to the South.  He settled in Atlanta in 1965 and worked in municipal bond sales for Smith-Barney and Robinson-Humphrey/Morgan-Keegan until retirement. 

He was a loving family man who delighted his family everyday with his humor and charm.  His grandchildren gave him much joy, and he enjoyed vacations, as well as day-to-day activities with them, his children, and Sharon. He was an honorable, generous, nurturing man who gave freely and loved deeply. He loved spending time with family and friends in Oxford, St. Simon’s and Colorado. He was a true friend, the epitome of a Southern gentleman, and beloved wherever he went.

On Thursday, December 11th, the family will receive visitors at the Patterson Funeral Home in Sandy Springs from 5-7 pm. The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, December 12th at 2pm in the sanctuary of Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Buckhead.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Charlie Flowers Leadership Award in care of the University of Mississippi  Foundation 406 University Ave. Oxford, MS 38655, to Peachtree Presbyterian Church, or to a charity of your choice.

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Charlie Flowers: Best player, greatest team.