Charles "Sonny" Hullender

Charles N. "Sonny" Hullender, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 14, 2025, in Jackson, Tennessee, at the age of 89. Born on November 8, 1935, in Apison, Tennessee, to Charlie and Bessie Quinn Hullender. Sonny lived a life marked by dedication to his family, his faith, and his community.

Sonny's early years in Apison set the stage for a lifetime of hard work and service. While attending high school, he worked as a store clerk at Bates Grocery in Apison. Before the age of 17, Sonny began his long and distinguished career at Chattanooga Magazine (Anderson News). He began as a clerk and worked up to General Manager at one point over the 57 years he worked with the company. While working he was called to serve in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 in Germany, afterwards returning to the company. Even after retiring, he continued to contribute to the workforce, spending four years with Walmart.

Sonny accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior on April 10, 1983. His faith was an important part of his life, and he was an active and beloved member of Apison Baptist Church. There, he joyfully served in the choir, drove for the bus ministry, played on church softball team, and participated on various committees. He also served as a trustee for Plowman Cemetery for many years.

Sonny's love for sports was evident to all who knew him. He loved slow pitch softball, baseball, and the TN Vols. His hobbies extended to gardening, where he loved growing food and sharing it with others, and to building things around the house, a testament to him taking care of his family and home.

Above all, Sonny was a family man. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Bessie Quinn Hullander; his siblings, Patsy Hullander Davis, Johnny Hullander, Vivian Hullander Bolling, Vickie Elliott Lopez-Nunez, Norma Dean Elliott Gray; and his beloved granddaughter, Bailey McKee.

He leaves behind his devoted wife of almost 40 years, Janet Cherie Holt McKee Hullender; his children, Annette (Robert) Moore, Yvonne (Mike) Johnson, Stacey H. Pentecost, Sherri (Joe) Yanakopulos, David (Lena) McKee, and HollyAnn Hullender; his siblings, Jerry (Terry) Hullender Clouse, Seth Warren (Barbara) Hullander, and Diane (Chuck) Elliott Brock; his 19 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren, all of whom he supported and loved unconditionally throughout his life and he will be greatly missed.

Graveside services will be held 3:30 P.M. Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Plowman Cemetery in Apison, TN. The family will receive friends 1:00 PM-3:00 PM Sunday, at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.