Charles Clowes Obituary

With a smile that could light up any room and a heart big enough to embrace the whole world, Charles Andrew "Charlie" Clowes peacefully departed this life on July 2, 2025, just 2 days after what would have been his 63rd wedding anniversary to the love of his life, Jeanette Moon Clowes. Theirs was a whirlwind romance-married on June 30, 1962, just three months after they met-and his devotion remained unwavering even after Jeanette's passing in 2016. Together, they built a beautiful life, rich in laughter, love, and family. Charles Andrew Clowes was preceded in death by his father William Cooper Clowes, his mother Bessie Maude Richardson Clowes, and his eldest sister, Mary Yvonne Clowes. Although Charlie did not complete his formal education, he graduated magna cum laude from the school of hard knocks. He was a visual learner, with a nearly photographic memory and an innate ability to understand how things worked-especially when it came to plumbing, heating and air. He joined the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 17 and his name became synonymous with quality and trust. From St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to nearly every Baptist Hospital in the Delta region, one thing was true: no one wanted to build a hospital without Charlie Clowes on the job. Charles is survived by his two adoring daughters, Janet Ivey-Duensing and Jo Ann Sanders, and their loving husbands, Steve Duensing and Reed Sanders. He was the greatest "Pal" to his cherished granddaughter, Mackenzie Sanders Land, and her fiancé, Dallas Parker. Charlie was super proud of his twin great-granddaughters Harper Jo and Hagen Grey Land. Harper and Hagen loved calling him "Pal" and sharing with him any treasure they found. Soon to come is his great-grandson Chaz "Little Pal" Parker, who will hear stories of his namesake often. Charlie was also a proud step-grandfather to Andy, Amanda, Josh, Nisi, and Zach Duensing, as well as his step-great-grandchildren Camilla, Duncan, Oona, and Felix Duensing. He leaves behind his oldest brother, Malcolm Clowes, and his youngest brother, Darrell Clowes, a friend closer than a brother, Jamie Richardson, and a second great love, Brenda Castleman. His many nieces, nephews, and friends adored him-and he adored them right back. Charlie never met a stranger. With his Levi's, Corvette shirts, and a mischievous glint in his eye, he made everyone feel like they belonged. And in his eyes, every woman he met was beautiful. He believed in working hard, being kind, and never-under any circumstances-being lazy. If something went awry, he'd simply shrug and say, "That's just a hazard of living." A lover and collector of sports cars, Charlie drove like he lived-fast, fun, and with flair. You never knew which one of his "rides" he'd roll up in, but you could be sure it would be polished, loud, and ready to turn heads. Whether it was cruising backroads or just going out to do his weekly chores, behind the wheel of some super souped-up Chevrolet was one of his happiest places. A master of hospitality, Charlie's kitchen was his sanctuary. He made the best baked beans in the world, legendary pecan pies, and cakes that could silence any gathering with a single bite. Even into his final month, he was staying up late making cookies-not for himself, but to gift to others. His joy was in giving, sharing, and feeding the people he loved. That same spirit of service extended into his faith. Charlie found his church home at Oak Grove Baptist Church, where he served as President of the Brotherhood throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He even organized the "Fix-It-Squad," spending Saturday mornings repairing door locks, leaky faucets, and anything else church members needed, always showing up with tools and a willing heart. After transferring his membership to Christ Church in 2016, he brought not just cakes and cookies, but soon entire meals to Wednesday night services. What started as a simple sweet treat became a full sit-down supper, and Charlie-always thinking ahead-was already planning the next week's menu by the time Janet and Jo Ann called him after church. At one point, he was joyfully feeding nearly 100 people every week, simply because he could and because he loved having a purpose. And at the heart of it all-his greatest purpose, his truest "why"-was his wife and his girls. More than anything, Charlie Clowes believed in the magic of family. He taught his daughters to love big, forgive often, and to cherish the everyday sacredness of those gathered around the dinner table. He was a man of laughter, stories, and great wisdom, and he never left a room without making it lighter, warmer, and better than when he found it. To know Charlie was to love him-and to be loved by him was to know joy. His daughters, Jo Ann and Janet, feel they won life's lottery having been raised by a father whose love was deep, whose humor was constant, and whose spirit was rare and radiant. He couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, but he loved the music of the 1950's and knew every word to those songs. He would always promise that "I'm going to change…but not today." If he could share one last thought with us all, he would do so with a twinkle in his eye and a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth and say, "Let the good times roll." And indeed, they did-because of him. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 11 at the Covington Funeral Home chapel with interment to follow in Magnolia Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at noon on Friday and until service time at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, you can donate to: Janet's Planet Explore Science Foundation https://donorbox.org/janet-s-planet-explore-science-foundation-space-camp-fund or Christ Church of Brownsville 2120 Anderson Ave, Brownsville, TN 38012 or Oak Grove Baptist Church 4048 TN-59, Covington, TN 38019