07/16/2026
Charles Fitts
Charles Emory Fitts, 74, passed away on July 15,2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, kindness, and humble service. He was a devoted husband, pastor, teacher, brother and friend. More than anything else, he wanted people to know Jesus Christ.
Charles was born on March 28, 1952, in Sikeston, Missouri, the oldest of five children born to Emory Ulvie and Charline Baremore Fitts. Although he later earned his masters and spent most of his adult life in the ministry, Charles never considered himself anything more, as he liked to say, “I’m just a country boy.”He attended East Mississippi Junior College, where he met the love of his life, Jacqueline. They were married on December 24, 1972, and for more than 53 years faithfully served the Lord side by side. Together, they built a marriage, rooted in faith and love that became a testimony to the love of Christ.
Charles earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education in 1976 and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics in 1981 from Mississippi State University. He began his career as the County Agricultural Agent in Rosedale, Mississippi, and completed his career as the County Agent in Calhoun City after faithfully serving communities across the state for many years. He devoted his professional career to helping farmers, families, and communities across the state through the Mississippi State University Extension Service, where he especially enjoyed working with young people through 4-H, encouraging them to learn, grow, and develop leadership skills. Although his profession was in agriculture and public service, his life‘s ministry was sharing the love of Christ.
Charles faithfully pastored many churches throughout Mississippi, including serving as pastor of Turkey Creek Baptist Church, outside of Calhoun City for 14 years. He loved the Word of God and had a special gift for making Scripture understandable and meaningful. Whether preaching from the pulpit, leading a Bible study, or sitting across a kitchen table, Charles met people where they were and gently pointed them to Christ .Even after moving to Starkville with Jacqueline in the last years of his life, Charles never stopped ministering. While living in assisted living, he continued leading a Bible study for the men there, faithfully encouraging them in God’s Word. Charles had a servant’s heart. If someone needed help, he showed up. If someone was hurting, he sat with them. He was the kind of man who would truly give you the shirt off his back. Family, friends, neighbors, and church members knew they could count on him no matter the hour or the need. Through every church and every season of life, Jacqueline faithfully served beside him.
While Charles preached, Jacqueline was often at the piano, supporting both her husband and the churches they loved. Together they formed a ministry that touched countless lives. Jacqueline shared that she was the one who asked Charles to marry her because, as she added, “You know Charles could never tell anybody no!” Looking back over more than 53 years of marriage, that statement described him perfectly. Their lives were marked by both great joy and deep sorrow, including the loss of their beloved infant son, Charles Emery Fitts, Jr. Through it all, their faith never wavered. During the last year of his life, Charles began writing a song about the return of Christ and the joy of finally being Home with his Savior. It reflected the Hope he had preached and taught throughout his ministry—a hope that sustained him all the days of his life
Charles was preceded in death by their son, Charles Emory Fitts, Jr.; his parents, Emory Ulvie Fitts and Charline Baremore Fitts; and sister, Teresa Gay Fitts Riley. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Jacqueline Fitts; his sister, Lorene Yvonne Morris(Ricky)of Savannah, Tennessee; brothers, Larry Bobe Fitts(Reba)of Jacks Creek, Tennessee, and James Elmer Fitts (Shellia) of Savannah, Tennessee; and sister-in-law, Julie Colbert. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews and many dear friends and church family whose lives were blessed by knowing him. Charles will be remembered as a man who loved the Lord, his wife, his family, people, and faithfully lived the Gospel he preached.
A graveside service celebrating Charles’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, at Brooksville Cemetery in Brooksville, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Living Waters Foursquare Church 70 Dogtown Drive Savannah, TN 38372
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
BEMP Cemetery 586 Hines Road Brooksville, MS 39739“
I fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
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