Charles A. Echols' Obituary
Charles Albert Echols passed away at his home on September 24, 2025. He was born on December 12, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana to his late parents, Charles Preston and Grace Davis Echols. He moved to Memphis as a child with his parents and siblings, Susan Echols Durham (sister, deceased), and Stephen Echols (brother, deceased).
Charles (Charlie) was a graduate of Whitehaven High School and The University of Memphis. He met his beautiful wife, Linda, while they were still in high school, when he was working for Linda‘s father at his business. The happy couple married on February 4, 1966 at Union Avenue United Methodist Church.
Over the years, Charlie worked in information technology for several companies, including Cylex, Morgan Keegan, and Raymond James. Prior to working in the corporate world, he worked for Memphis State University, the United States Post Office and was a dedicated member of the U.S. Airforce/Army Reserves.
He became a proud father when his first daughter, Diana, was born in 1970. He became a father of two when Cathy was born in 1973. Charlie was a devoted father who worked diligently to be a strong provider and support for his girls.
In 2000, his household name changed to Papa when his first granddaughter, Taylor, was born. Later, he welcomed three more grandchildren, Morgan (2002), Charlie (2006), and Henry (2008). In 2024, Charlie was blessed with becoming a great-grandfather with the birth of Taylor’s son, Ezran.
Throughout his life, Charlie was dedicated to God, and he and Linda were active members of Bartlett United Methodist Church and later Christ Methodist Church in Memphis. He was a man of faith and generosity and volunteered his time with several organizations including the Memphis Literacy Foundation and the Shelby County Election Commission. After retiring from Raymond James in 2014, he volunteered for the West Clinic in Germantown and for the Friends of the Germantown Library Bookstore.
Charlie was an avid reader, enjoying crime and political thrillers. He was an ace at Sudoku and crossword puzzles, always completing them in ink. He was a problem solver and math wiz, who couldn’t understand why his girls didn’t inherit this gift. Charlie loved woodworking and even built custom cabinets and shelving for his home in Germantown. Charlie was his family’s Mr. Fix-it. He did it all - changed the oil in and repaired the family cars, repaired plumbing, laid hardwood floors, and took care of anything else around his home that needed attention. He loathed paying someone to do these things when he could do it himself.
Charlie and his wife, Linda, spent 59 beautiful years together in marriage. They loved going to plays and musicals. Among his favorites were The Phantom of the Opera and Jersey Boys. He loved all kinds of music from jazz, Christopher Cross, to Blood Sweat and Tears. Charlie and Linda enjoyed traveling together in the United States and Europe. They often went to the beach in summer with their family. Charlie was not a beach man, but he often went because Linda and the girls loved it. He was more of a lake man and enjoyed sailing his sailboat and riding his wave runners at Pickwick Lake.
Charlie is survived by his beautiful and adoring wife of 59 years, Linda Echols, and Diana Echols Stumph of Germantown, TN, Cathy Echols Palmer (Neal) of Memphis, TN, his four grandchildren Taylor Stumph Gibson (Cameron), Morgan Stumph, Charles Palmer, Henry Palmer, and one great-grandson, Ezran Gibson.
Charlie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his family fiercely and would do anything to help them in any way. He was a gentle, kind, and stoic man who rarely raised his voice or got angry over the little things. Each time one of his daughters left the house, he said, “I love you. Be good.” He said those words to them even when they became adults and parents and said them until he could no longer speak the words. Charlie exuded goodness and will be forever missed.
The family will hold a private memorial.
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