Charles Francis White, Jr.

Charles F. White, Jr. of Elgin passed away peacefully in his home on June 25, 2024 after a brief illness. He was 59 years old.

A lifelong carpenter and builder, Chuck was a licensed general contractor and the owner of Southern Elite Builders, LLC. Over the last 25 years, he built many single-family homes in the Blythewood, Elgin, and Lugoff areas and renovated hundreds across Richland, Kershaw, and Lexington Counties. Chuck found his vocation as a young boy, building tree houses in the backyard of his childhood home in Pittsburgh, PA. He honed his carpentry skills under the guidance of industrial arts teachers at Keystone Oaks High School and Parkway West Vo-tech. As a result, Chuck vigorously encouraged people to learn the building trades.

Chuck was a member of Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in Blythewood and a former member of the church's Knights of Columbus chapter. Though he did not attend church regularly, his Christian faith was very important to him. He served God by generously giving his time and talents to his church, his community, and his wide circle of family and friends.

Chuck was an avid fan of the Penguins and Steelers, often hosting watch parties at his home or making trips back home to Pittsburgh to watch games with family and friends there. Throughout his life, he also enjoyed playing ice hockey, riding motorcycles, boating, swimming, playing cards, throwing darts, and loving his many dogs over the years.

Chuck was the only son of the late Charles F. White and Patricia J. McLean White of Winnsboro, SC. He is also survived by his sisters Chris (Jay) Keefer, Colleen White, Claire (Stephen) Van Camp, and Chanin (Janelle) White; his nieces Hallie Van Camp, Jayme (Daniel) Charles, and Joy White; and his great-niece Grace Charles.

A memorial service will be held at New Kirk Presbyterian Church in Blythewood, SC on Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m., with a chapel service and burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Hazelwood, PA on Friday, July 19, at 1 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to drop in for a casual celebration of Chuck's life on Saturday, July 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Alexion's Bar & Grill in Carnegie, PA. If you would like to honor Chuck's memory, please make a gift to your favorite faith organization, local animal shelter, or the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.