Charles Chives Bethune peacefully departed the earth to join his maker on August 5, 2022 at West Alabama Hospice located in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Born November 27, 1934 to Thirzle D. Bethune and Louisa (Hariel) Bethune in Fort Payne, Alabama, Charles led a long and happy life, full of family and friendship and he dearly loved his family.

As a young man Charles joined the United States Air Force stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1954-1958. Finding the frigid temperatures did not suit him, Charles hastily returned South after his discharge. Upon his return, he met and was united in marriage with Katherine Simpson on November 26, 1959. They remained devoted to each other for over 62 years.

Charles attended Barber College in Memphis, Tennessee prior to beginning a career with Boggan's Plumbing Company in Aberdeen, Mississippi. He held a civilian post at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi, before returning to plumbing. He and Katherine opened Bethune's Plumbing and Heating in Aberdeen, Mississippi, where he eventually earned the rank of Master Plumber and put his barber skills to use with a small shop behind the plumbing office. He was a well-respected local business owner in Aberdeen for many years, known for his strong work ethic and love of the community. He was also a Master Mason and a member of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi.  After retiring from the plumbing business, he worked for the city of Aberdeen for 4 years. Charles was also an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and hunter. After retirement, he moved to Centerville, Alabama to be closer to family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thirzle and Louisa, sister Katherine Emma Chaffin, brothers Grady Price Bethune and Jimmie Ray Bethune, as well as a daughter, Brenda Lynn Bethune, who passed on shortly after her birth.

Charles is survived by his wife Katherine, daughter Melinda Jean Bethune of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, grandson Michael Charles Prewitt (Laura), and his 2 great-grandsons of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, as well as a host of family and friends, as nearby as Vernon, Alabama and as far as New Mexico.

The family would like to give a special thanks to: Dr. Matthew Thom and the staff of West Alabama Urology, Dr. John Crew and the radiation staff at Oncology Associates of West Alabama, Dr. James  Evans, Oncology of West Alabama, Dr. Azam and Dr. Sakina Kamal of Tuscaloosa Lung Associates, Haley McCracken, Nurse Practitioner and the staff on the 5 ^th and 7 ^th floors of DCH Regional Medical Center.

A celebration of the life of Charles Bethune will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Dowdle Funeral Home in Millport, Alabama. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the chapel. Interment to follow at Wofford Cemetery in Vernon, Alabama.