Chuck Lawson

Please join us in honoring the life of Chuck Lawson. You are welcome to attend his funeral service in person, or you can watch the LIVE Broadcast at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 9, 2026. Simply click the link below to view the service.

Funeral Service Broadcast for Chuck Lawson 

Charles Edward Lawson Jr., more commonly known as Chuck, Chucky, or occasionally see Chuckles, loved his family, both blood and chosen, more than anything. If you were part of his sphere, and it was a big sphere, you know how much he loved to laugh and what a light he brought.

Chuck was born January 6, 1963 in Jacksonville, North Carolina to the most dedicated and loving mother, Margaret June Peebles (Manning). He grew up primarily in Danville, Ky alongside his little brother Rick, his first partner in crime. They were the best of friends. Chuck attended Boyle County High School, class of 1981.

It was in Danville that he first met his true love, Teri, when they were just 14 and 15. They loved each other deeply for more than 40 years, whatever came their way. They raised their girls, Ashleigh and Vanessa, with love in Lawrenceburg, KY, where they lived for nearly 4 decades. “Dad” was a role that he took very seriously, but not too seriously. He taught us early on to laugh- at ourselves, at him, at slightly age-inappropriate jokes and bodily sounds. Eventually, grandchildren came and he became “Papaw,” a title and a role that he relished beyond words. He made it a priority to tell his family as often as possible how much he loved them and was proud of them.

Chuck had a close, personal relationship with God; they talked often and Chuck leaned on Jesus through his many trials. He was also the hardest working man you could imagine, often with multiple jobs while juggling family and community. He wanted more than anything to give his family the best life possible, and he worked tirelessly to do that. He succeeded, more than he probably ever gave himself credit for.

Chuck worked many jobs throughout his life, having begun at an early age. He was an entrepreneur from the start, weaving potholders and selling enough of them to buy himself a bicycle. He set tobacco and worked as a grocery bagger, a nursing home aid, and a mortuary assistant, among other things.

He loved doing hair from an early age, so it was no surprise when he became a cosmetologist. He went to Durham Beauty School in Danville and, after managing Fantastic Sam’s and working at other salons, he opened and ran his own shop, Shear Magic. He was a cosmetologist and confidant, everyone’s ear when they needed one, for 35 years before he retired due to health. For 17 years of that time he was also a bus driver for Anderson County Schools. Even on the hardest days, Mr. Chuck loved and took care of the kids of bus #16, getting them to and from school safely, hearing about their days, and cheering them on.

Chuck’s work ethic was unmatched and he was always game to solve a problem. He knew everyone and loved a good chat. His well of useful knowledge ran deep, and he was always happy to share it with anyone in need. Need directions? Ask Chuck. Need to know how to balance a budget? Ask Chuck. Everyone who knew him would attest that if you ever needed anything- advice, money, a ride, a shoulder, anything- he would be there. It didn’t matter if it was the middle of the night or if he was sick or in pain, he would come.

Chuckles was a magnetic force, people gravitated towards him, and he accepted and loved them all. He was compassionate, loving, caring, attentive, and hilarious. He loved to tell a great story or joke, and he had so many. He had his own vocabulary filled with what we called “Chuckisms,” like heifercat, a catchall term with shifting definitions. He lived, truly and with a passion.

Every Friday night for the last many years, Chuck could be found at his Mama's kitchen table. She would cook a meal and the would visit, along with William, Tyler, Dean or anyone who happened by. Chuck was a devoted son and loved spending time with her every weekend.

Chuck loved games- all night board and card games with his friends and family, weekly poker games with his crew, a good scratch off or a trip to The Boat to play slots. He rarely missed the Pick 3; he knew he was going to hit those millions one day, and in the meantime, he had fun playing.

In his more able days, he was always up for an adventure. Gatlinburg with Teri, white water rafting, four-wheeling, sledding with his kids, skiing, a road trip with Randy, a train excursion with his mom and grandma, a cruise to the Bahamas and another to Mexico, a cabin weekend with the Cheaks, a day at the lake, camping, Holiday World with his grandkids... he wanted to experience it all, and to help his friends and family experience as much as possible, too.

He loved a bargain and loved even more sharing his finds with others. He was always on the lookout for something someone might need so he could get it for them. He was infinitely generous with his time and his resources; however limited they may be, he would give what he had. If you came to his house you might as well come hungry, because he was going to try to feed you.

Chuck loved classic and 90s country, with a particular adoration of Loretta Lynn, who he was grateful to have seen twice in concert. He also loved gospel music, nourishing his soul with The Gaithers and The Statler Brothers.

Chuck is preceded in death by his brother, Rick Lawson, as well as beloved grandparents, mother in law, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Teri Lawson (Lawrenceburg, Ky); his mother, Margaret Peebles (Danville, Ky); two daughters, Ashleigh (Kenneth) Willoughby (Lawrenceburg, Ky) and Vanessa (Jackson) Lawson (Lexington, Ky); six grandchildren: Nathaniel (Precious) Willoughby, Lukas (Kenzie) Willoughby, Levi (Kayla) Willoughby, Noah Willoughby, Eleanor Willoughby, and Evelynn Willoughby; great granddaughter Zyiah Harris; Sisters Michelle Marshall and Melissa (Destry) Sharp; Nephews Tyler Lawson, Seth Tuttle, Kaeleb Elmore, and Joshuah Elmore; Nieces Meagan Dalton, Raven Tuttle, Olivia Tuttle, and Mirage Elmore; close friends and family including: Gloria and David Cheak and family, Wally Stinnett, Tammy Pulliam and family, Linda Chilton, and Jack Watts.

He is also survived by many cousins, aunts, great-nieces and nephews, adopted family, and friends- too many to name, for which we feel grateful and blessed.

Dad, we already miss you immensely. You were our "go-to" when life got rough or when we wanted to celebrate a win. You were a rock in our lives and even if you didn’t have the answers, we knew you supported us in all the ways that count. Your hard work and your boundless love gave us the basis for the lives we have today and shaped us in ways that you can be proud of. You did good. We are all better people Dad, because of you. We are so grateful that you are no longer suffering as you did for so long; you are finally free of pain. We know you always worried about if we were ok, so we want you to know you don’t need to worry; we will take care of each other and as Dolly says, “Everything's gonna be all right, It's gonna be okay.” We love you.

A viewing will be held for Chuck on Sunday March 8 from 3-7pm and Monday March 9 from 9:00-11:00am at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home 701 N Main St, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342. The funeral service will take place Monday March 9 at 11:00 am, with interment to follow at Bellvue Cemetery 277 North First Street Danville, Kentucky 40442.

Pallbearers are: Nathaniel, Lukas, Levi, Noah, and Kenneth Willoughby; Jackson Blakeman; Tyler Lawson; and Seth Tuttle.

Honorary pallbearers are Micah, Nathan, Brandon, Conlee, and Caleb Cheak; and Kaeleb and Joshuah Elmore.

Chuck would be happy to see everyone in blue or green, as they were his favorite colors.

Donations can be made in Chuck’s memory to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital athttps://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html or by mail to 501 St. Jude Place •