SFC Charles A. "Ret." Conyers

SFC (Retired) Charles Alan Conyers passed away on Tuesday, November 25 in Blythewood, South Carolina, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years and high school sweetheart, Diane Peele Conyers; his daughter, Erica Conyers Smith and son-in-law, Robbie Smith; his son, Jerry Alan Conyers, Sr. and daughter-in-law, Kenzie Crapps Conyers. Charles deeply loved his five grandchildren: Taylor Emory Smith, Lila Grae Smith, Eli Barber Smith, Jerry Alan Conyers Jr. and Bailey Addison Conyers. He is also survived by his sister, Patrica Conyers; sister-in-law, Bessie Conyers (Jerry); lifelong best friend, Jerry Polston; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Addie Conyers of Blenheim, SC; his brothers, Mae Jennings Taylor (Dick), Ray Conyers and Jerry W. Conyers; his sister, Faye Conyers Thompson and his brother-in-law, Charlie Thompson.

Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Charles grew up in McColl, SC before enlisting in the United States Army in 1972 alongside his childhood friend Jerry Polston through the buddy system. His distinguished military career began with basic training at Fort Jackson, SC followed by assignments at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Fort Gordon, Georgia and Fort Stewart, Georgia. He then received orders to Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany where he and his family spent three years before returning to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for an additional three-year assignment.

Charles later completed a one-year tour in Korea before receiving orders for Fort Riley, Kansas where he served for five years. He and his family then moved to Fort Hood, Texas where he was stationed for nine months before transferring to Hanau, Germany. He arrived in Germany in September and deployed shortly after for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in November.

After six months at war, he returned safely to Germany and eventually made his way back to Fort Jackson, the very place where his military journey had first begun in 1972. It was there, surrounded by the echoes of his earliest days in uniform that he brought his long and distinguished career full circle. He retired from Fort Jackson with honor carrying with him decades of service, sacrifice and leadership that left a lasting impact on everyone who served beside him.

Throughout his 20-year Army career, Charles received numerous honors including the Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Soldier Award. He also earned multiple Army Achievement Medals recognizing his exemplary service.

He was a proud soldier, a devoted husband, father and a grandfather whose greatest joy came from watching his family grow.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 11AM at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington, SC. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service and an interment will take place at 1PM at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC.