Robert Bates Charlton

Robert Bates Charlton was born April 17, 1926 in Autaugaville, Alabama and went to be with his Lord on July 13, 2006. He is missed by his wife of almost 57 years, Martha Chancey Charlton, his daughter Melissa Charlton Bowen and her husband Terry, of Prattville, Alabama, his daughter Ann Charlton Duke and her husband, Chris, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and his grandchildren, Greg and Paul Bowen of Prattville, and Robert and Emily Duke of Ocean Springs. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama for 45 years, where he taught adult Sunday School, led a Bible study, served on the Administrative Board and ministered in many ways to his church and community. When he moved to Prattville in 1999, he became involved at First United Methodist Church Prattville, where he was a member of the New Era Sunday School Class which he sometimes taught. Mr. Carlton attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) as did his father and daughters, and remained a fan of the Tigers all of his life. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute of Worcester, Massachusetts, as part of a Naval education program for engineers during World War II. He served his country as an officer in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a consulting civil engineer, and designed structures for many buildings throughout Alabama, including the high school his daughter Melissa later attended, and several building for Russell Athletics and Birmingham Steel. A loving husband and father, a beloved grandfather, and a man of great faith, he will be missed by many, until we see him again. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 15, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Prattville with Reverend Ed Henne and Dr. Travis Coleman officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens in Prattville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to First United Methodist Church Prattville, or St. Paul United Methodist Church, Ocean Springs.