Mr. Charlie G. Cave, age 89, departed this earthly realm on January 13, 2017 in Beaufort, where his soul took peaceful flight to meet his God and Creator in that bright, celestial world and to rejoice forevermore around God’s Throne.
Charlie Garrett was born the youngest of four siblings to the late Mr. Lucious Cave and Mrs. Rosa Mixon Cave in Old Barnwell County on September 18, 1927. He received his early formal education in the public schools of Allendale County. At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and remained an active and lifelong member of the Union United Methodist Church in Kline. From his beloved parents and very first role models, he learned the value and importance of godly character, love of family, strong work ethics, discipline, education and service to others.
In August 1956, Mr. Cave was united in holy matrimony to the former Verdell Ella Reddish of Blackville, and to this union, his two beloved sons were born: Michael Garrett Cave and Carlos Vergil Cave. They were happily married for 26 years before Mrs. Cave’s untimely death in July 1982.
In later years, he was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, his brother and his firstborn son, Michael Garrett.
In July 1985, Mr. Cave was united in holy matrimony to Mamie Holly Townsend, a native of Barnwell County. They were happily married for nearly 32 years until his death, and from this union, he inherited three loving, young adult daughters: Sherrell, Lisa and Jennifer.
As an adult, Mr. Cave farmed in Old Barnwell County but later pursued small business interests in Allendale, ranging from a mechanic’s garage to real estate ventures. For a number of years, he was also one of the lead singers with the local gospel quintet known as The Friendly Five. He and his first wife, the late Mrs. Verdell R. Cave, established the Cave Funeral Services of Allendale in 1960. And, in 1966, they opened a funeral home in Ehrhardt to serve residents of Bamberg County.
Ever the civic-minded, progressive and concerned citizen, Mr. Cave believed fiercely in the enrichment, support and uplift of local youth, which led him to run for and win a seat on the local Allendale County School Board of Trustees—a position that he held with distinction for 42 years from 1970 to 2012. He also served faithfully as a member of the Allendale Masonic Lodge #53, the local Allendale County Chapter of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP) and other civic organizations.
Mr. Cave is survived by his wife of the home, Mrs. Mamie H. Townsend Cave; four children: Carlos V. Cave Sr. (Shirley) of Bluffton; Sherrell Y. Lane of New York; Lisa A. Townsend of Virginia; Jennifer M. Norfleet (Doug) of Virginia; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; six godchildren; four sisters-in-law: Onetha Holly, Dorothy Kirby, Alpha Anderson and Eliza Cave; two brothers-in-law: Ben Holly (Elizabeth) and Julius Green (Rosalyn); a faithful cousin and caregiver, Marie Hankerson; a beloved cousin and employee, Bernard Brown; as well as other beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and colleagues.
The funeral service was 1 p.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at the Union United Methodist Church in Kline with words of comfort by Rev. Dr. Eddie C. Williams. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
B.F. Cave Funeral Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.