Charles Barnett Scogin

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, the 83-year-old physical body of Charles Barnett Scogin was left behind as his soul and spirit departed to heaven to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When he was diagnosed with cancer he told his family he wanted to die at home, and the family worked together to make that possible. Charlie was born on December 9, 1929, the seventh and last child of Murphy Oliver Scogin and Nola Nichols Scogin in the Oak Flat community between Mt. Enterprise and Laneville. He was delivered by Dr. Barnett and was named after him. When he was 22 months old his mother died at the age of 33 from gall bladder surgery complications. A childless couple in the New Salem community offered to raise the cotton-top toddler, but his dad wanted to keep the family together. Charlie's paternal grandmother moved in with the family at that time. Family was always important to Charlie. Charlie left school early to help earn money for the family. He nevertheless became a self-taught, well-read, educated individual. He worked various jobs including growing tomatoes and hauling them to market in Jacksonville; growing acres of watermelons, peas, peanuts without the aid of a tractor; driving a log truck and working at his brother Edel's sawmill. He also, on occasion, picked cotton for a neighbor. On December 22, 1948 at the age of 19 he volunteered for the army and went through basic training in Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas. He was also assigned to Ft. Bliss in El Paso. He was later stationed in Ft. Lewis in Washington. One time he was selected to help guard President Truman when he came through Washington; he bought a new dress uniform for the occasion. Charlie was just days from completing his two-year stint when the Korean War broke out. He was ordered to serve another 11 months and two days, being honorably discharged on November 23, 1951. After his discharge, he moved to Houston to live with his brother Bud. At that time he learned the machinist trade at Brown Oil Tools, where Bud worked. One day he went home with a co-worker, John Davis, and met his sister, Gwendolyn Louise Davis, who became Charlie's wife on May 18, 1953. Early in their marriage Charlie was saved and became a new creature in Christ. He and Gwen were baptized at Tidwell Road Baptist Church in Houston. During his career as a machinist, he also worked for Hacker Machine in Henderson, Hooks Machine in Kilgore, Hacker-Pyramid in Henderson and Capco Supply in Kilgore and Henderson. In the 1970s he was self-employed in dozer work. At one time he and his brother Hubert owned and operated a fabrication shop in Henderson. In 1996 he retired from Capco and he and Gwen fulfilled a long-time dream when they hauled their travel trailer all the way to Alaska and back—a trek of 10, 875 miles. Charlie and Gwen were diligent to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He loved to read and study the scriptures and was passionate about the Bible and the Lord. He would eagerly engage anyone who was interested and some who were not in a conversation/debate about the Bible. All of their 17 grandchildren were also raised in the church, a legacy of which they are proud. He taught Sunday School numerous years. At the time of his death he was an active member of First Freewill Baptist Church in Henderson where he once served as trustee. His favorite pastimes in recent years were discussing the Bible, participating in the "Circle of Knowledge" at Herschels, watching westerns and races on tv, sitting in his deer stand behind his house and watching the animals and reading his Bible. He also loved to ride his four-wheeler and was often seen riding grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At one time he had an old satellite dish attached behind the four-wheeler and would pull several kids at one time. He often tried to get Gwen to ride in the dish, but she never did. The Lord blessed Charlie with 82 years of excellent health and rarely went to the doctor until the past year. This excellent health was not because of healthy eating habits. He ate fried foods daily and drowned his food in salt. Sugar was his main food group. He self-medicated with a daily aspirin for decades—long before the medical field knew of the benefits. He ate Vicks Vaporub when he was congested. When he had an episode with his heart in 2011 and was at the emergency room, the nurse asked him if he had ever been told he had a heart murmur. He said no one mentioned it when he had his last physical in 1951! Charlie is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Gwen. He is also survived by their six children, 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren: Linda Burks of Henderson and her children Davy and Jessica Burks of Henderson and Michael and Nathan; Tasha Fraser of Henderson and Bryan, Jonathan, Olivia and Joel; Dalin and Mercedes Burks of Henderson and Haley and Evan; Jonathan of Germany and Andie Burks of Henderson and Karson. Sharon and Mike Rollins of Henderson and their children Kelli and Ben Hays of Houston and Landon, Allison, Evaleigh and Canaan; Bradley Rollins of San Marcos; Lindsey and Alan Aten of Henderson and Anderson and Vera; and Caleb Rollins of Henderson. Mark Scogin of Ridgeway, SC and his children Nola Janelle and Eric Hardaway of Denver, CO and Madeline; Nina Scogin of Easley, SC; Niki Scogin of Columbia, SC; and Ryan Scogin of Simpsonville, SC. Debbie and Gene Kelsey of Henderson and her children Jason Newton of Henderson and Trentyn; and Rachel and Andrew Baxley of El Paso. Esther and David Bunn of Henderson and their son Mitchell. Stephen and Holly Scogin of College Station and their children Peyton and Emily. Charlie's father died in 1975 at the age of 84. All of his siblings and most of their spouses preceded him in death: Vernon Wilson Bud Scogin and wife Gracie House Scogin; Artie Beall Scogin Holiday McGuire and husbands Claude Columbus Holiday and Leonard McGuire; and Murphy Oliver Scogin, Jr. Three sisters-in-law survive him: Annie McDaniel Scogin of Amarillo, widow of Oliver Ray Scogin; Ruby Dee Buckner Scogin of Henderson, widow of James Edel Scogin; and Carol Turner Collins Scogin of Good Springs, widow of George Hubert Scogin. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law Lavior Edgar Davis; mother-in-law Madeline Elsie Louise Buss Davis; sisters-in-law Earline Davis and Wanda Lois Davis and brothers-in-law John Davis and Glenn Davis. He is also survived by sisters-in-law: Melba and James Snedecor of Matagorda; Mary and Ron Audas of Henderson; Dianna Davis of Houston; Susan Davis of Austin; and Sandra Davis of Houston. He is also survived by brother-in-law Grady and Kay Davis of Sugar Land and numerous nieces and nephews. Charlie loved his God and he loved his family. His family loved him dearly and will miss him. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 at Rader Funeral Home. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at Rader Funeral Home chapel in Henderson followed by burial at New Salem Cemetery. Charlie's son Stephen Scogin and grandson-in-law, the Rev. Ben Hays, will officiate along with his pastor, the Rev. Mark Headrick of First Freewill Baptist Church. His nine grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to the First Freewill Baptist Church, 913 Richardson Drive Henderson, Texas 75654

Charles Barnett Scogin

December 9, 1929 - March 23, 2013