Charles Burney Yarbrough, 83, of Clarksville, TN, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2016.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel with Pastor B.J. Brack and Pastor Haley Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Antioch United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 10, 2016, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and Monday, January 11, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.
Mr. Yarbrough was born in Clarksville, TN on June 23, 1932, to Paul Edgar Yarbrough and Sarah Byrd Yarbrough. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Paul Thomas Yarbrough and sister, Mabel Haynes.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Kentner Yarbrough; one daughter, Joy Yarbrough; and one son, Steven Yarbrough of Clarksville, TN. Other survivors include: two sisters, Bettie Jones (Howard) of Lakeland, FL and Jannie James of Clarksville, TN and one brother, Lawrence Yarbrough (Shirley) of Clarksville, TN.
Charles grew up in the Antioch community on his family farm and graduated from Montgomery Central High School in 1950. He loved playing basketball and baseball during his youth. After graduating, his focus was on the family farm, but he later began working at Third Street Shoe Store as a salesman. He served his country in the United States Army from January 1953 to December 1954 as a Corporal in the 64th Military Police Company. He was stationed overseas in Vienna, Austria during the Korean Conflict. After serving his country with honor, he returned to Clarksville. He retired after a 31 year career with the Trane Company. He was a member of the International Association of Machinist local lodge 1296. Other accomplishments include being elected as a Loan Officer with the Trane Southern Federal Credit Union and coaching a Babe Ruth baseball team that won a championship trophy. He spent many summers playing softball and keeping score for the Trane Softball League.
Charles was an active member of Hilldale United Methodist Church, where he participated in many church ministries such as the Follower’s Sunday School Class, Mission Chairperson for clothing and food outreach, and Habitat for Humanity. He was a longtime member and officer of the Montgomery County Laity Club. He also volunteered each week at Clarksville Urban Ministries.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hilldale United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 1751 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37043.