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Charles Womack Obituary
Born July 18, 1917, in Martinsville, he was a son of Dr. Charles T. Womack and Lena Robins Womack.
He graduated from Virginia Tech and moved to Danville in 1938. He founded Womack Electric Supply, which developed into a chain of stores throughout Virginia and North Carolina. He was also successful in numerous other ventures and enterprises.
He was a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church and an active member of the Landis Sunday School Class.
Throughout his life he was actively involved in numerous civic affairs, including serving on the Danville City Council from 1958 to 1966. He was actively involved in promoting racial harmony during the early '60s.
He will probably be best remembered for his philanthropic work and generosity that knew no racial, economic or religious bounds. This work will continue through the efforts of the foundation that bears his name.
In 1941 he married the former Estelle Harris of Danville, who died in 1994. Together they raised five children, Charles A. (Zan) Womack Jr. of Danville, Robins Giles of Greenville, S.C., David Womack of Greenville, N.C., Ray Womack of Burlington, N.C., and Jil Harris of Richmond, Va. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Sunday, June 5, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. from Mountain View Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Friend officiating.
The family will receive friends at Townes Funeral Home on Saturday, June 4 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and at other times they will be at the residence, 424 Maple Lane.
Memorials may be sent to the Womack Foundation, c/o American National Bank, P.O. Box 191, Danville, VA 24543.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Womack
Toni Dryman Ryan
June 23, 2005
To all the Womacks....I never really knew Mr. Womack personally but feel like he was one of my family. My Dad, Buddy Dryman, worked for him for many years. He never spoke of him that he was not saying something good. He had the greatest of respect for him and he was always looked up to by all 3 of us. I am so sorry for your loss. May God bless you and be with you and yours during this time.
Ed & Darlene Hoffman
June 6, 2005
Dear Charles, Zan and family, We are so sorry to hear the news. I know he will be missed by many.
There's an old saying "A man is never forgotten as long has people speak his name" Knowing just a fraction of the things he did and the people he touched he will be in our hearts and memories for a very long time.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
David L. Gray
June 6, 2005
Please accept my sympathy at the passing of your father. He gave me a job at a desperate time in my life and I have never forgotten his kindness and generosity.
Albert Keatts
June 5, 2005
Ray, David, and the Womack family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Be proud and take comfort in the legacy that your father will leave in this community. Many people talk about making a difference. Mr. Womack did something about it.
The thoughts and prayers of my family are with you. May God comfort you and strengthen you in your time of need.
Sincerely,
Albert
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J. Allen Turner
June 4, 2005
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy at the passing of Mr. Womack. His dedication to civil rights and racial harmony was an inspiration to me. I will never forget the support Mr. Womack expressed to me when, as a George Washington High School student, I took the floor at a city counsel meeting in 1969 and confronted Counselman John Carter.
Edith Dunn
June 4, 2005
My deepest sympathy to all of the family. Mr. Womack will always be remembered as a kind, caring member of Mt. Vernon Church and the community.
Edith Dunn
Amie A. Blanks
June 4, 2005
Zan and Family, Sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Raymond/ Bettie Giles Rigney
June 3, 2005
We are sorry for your lose. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Terry Wall
June 3, 2005
Dear Robin & James,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Please know that our prayers and thougths are with you.
Janet & Terry Wall
ralph & sylvia south
June 3, 2005
Zan so sorry to hear about Charlie.
He was a perfect Gentleman. I really enjoyed talking to him.
If we can do anything to comfort you and your wife just call us.
792-6737
May God Bless you and the family.
ralph
Mitch and Betty Boyd
June 3, 2005
Zan, Bobbye Raye and Family
Our heartfelt condolences to all your family. Zan we never met your father but from the words of others he was a remarkable gentleman just as you are.All your friends in Naples have you in our thoughts
Betty and Mitch
Mark Teel
June 3, 2005
David and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you thoughout this difficult time. Mark Teel
Philippians 4:7
Dickie & Pam Green
June 2, 2005
What a great person. We all benefit from such a man.
Irving Blank
June 2, 2005
Dear Womacks, Giles, and Harris families: Please know that you are all in the thoughts and prayers of both Rhona and me. We will try to make the funeral, but if I do not get to see you, I wanted you to know the deep sense of loss that I feel with the loss of Charlie. I was very fortunate to have spent so much time in the Womack houses on Maple Lane and to benefit from the influence he( and Tellie) had on my formative years as a youngster and later a college and law student. I can still remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach when he would summoned me or Zan back to his study for a discussion, but I must admit the lessons learned from him were permanent and invaluable. Those horrible days of the early 60's when he stood up and spoke out helped define me and for that I will be ever grateful. You have suffered a great loss, but you should glory in the knowledge that you had this giant in your lives for these many years. I am certain that I am one of many who will never forget Charlie Womack. Irv Blank
Paul Reavis
June 2, 2005
Dear Zan, Bobbye Raye, and family,
Please accept my most profound condolences. Your Dad was the personification of greatness, humility, and generosity and I think he was the most prolific citizen that has ever called Danville his home. He knew before many others thought about it enough that racial discrimination was wrong, and he stood as a role model of civility during that part of our history. His stimulation of area students to learn with financial assistance is absolutely legendary and its profound effects in their lives cannot possibly be adequately described. He sponsored many hundreds of children in learning to swim and no doubt pre-empted further tragedy like those children who have drowned over the years in the Dan River for lack of lessons or facilities in which to swim. He was a very successful man who continued to care about the poorest among us, and he will be missed by a massive number of people that he touched during his life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours,
- Paul Reavis
Suzanne Mundy
June 2, 2005
Dear Sydney and David:
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Apple
June 2, 2005
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of Mr. Womack. While I did not know him, his daughter, Jil, is a very special person to me. I can only imagine that in some ways she is a reflection of him. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Warmly,
Suzanne Apple
Shirley and John Primiano
June 2, 2005
Zan and Bobbye Rae, We were terribly sorry to read about your loss. Charles will certainly be missed by many. We will keep you in our prayers. God Bless.
Barbara Louhoff
June 2, 2005
Dear Zan and Bobbie Ray
I wanted to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of a wonderful man. I only met him one time, but Grace and Charles always spoke so highly of him. I know he was an inspiration to many.
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