Charles Edward Bracknell, age 80, passed away December 12, 2023, at Hospice of West Alabama of an onset of diabetes. Visitation will be 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM December 18, 2023 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM following the visitation hour. Pastor Michael Crosswhite of Emmanuel Baptist Church will preside over burial at Memory Hill Gardens. A Dignity Memorial provider will direct the burial. There will be a reception after the graveside service inside the funeral home.
Charles was preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Elam Bracknell, his father William “WB” Bailey Bracknell, his brother Pete Bracknell, and his sister Linda Bracknell Coats. He was born May 25, 1943, in Brent, Alabama. After graduating in 1962 from Tuscaloosa High School, he joined the Navy. He completed one year stateside and one year overseas in the Seabee’s division. The Navy trained him in electrical and construction skills. In 1969 he got a job with the B.F. Goodrich rubber plant. After 14 years he retired and decided he liked small business. From 1975 to 2018 he owned and conducted small businesses in the North River Rice Mine Road area. One cannot say he got rich, but he loved every minute of it.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Billie Sue Roberts Bracknell, his son, Charles “Chuck” Edward Bracknell II (Rebekah) his daughter, Deana Gail Bracknell, His grandson, Charles “Trace” Edward Bracknell IlI, his granddaughter, Sydney Lea Bracknell, his nieces Kay, Kim, Karol, Riva Karen and several other loved ones who were in his life from time to time.
Pallbearers are Charles “Chuck” Edward Bracknell II, Charles “Trace” Edward Bracknell III, Samuel “Sam” Strickland, David Roberts, Rick Hanna, and Russ Harshman.
Honorary pallbearers are Paul Bracknell (Connie), Charlie and Sharon Tidmore, Dennis Williamson, all the amazing caregivers at Hospice of West Alabama, DCH’s 3rd floor ICU team, and Dr. Keith Debell, his doctor for all these years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of West Alabama.
