Funeral services for Rev. Charles French, age 72, of Carthage, TX, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro Calvin Hancock and Dr. Ray Brooks officiating. Interment will follow in Restland Memorial Park near Carthage. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Rev. French passed away on Wednesday evening, Aug. 31, 2011, at his home in Carthage.

Charles Robert French was born on Nov. 18, 1938, in Sherman, TX to Cass Stinson French, Sr. and Lola V. Harrison French. He graduated from Bells High School with the class of 1956. Rev. French married Brenda Sue Meek on Nov. 10, 1956, in Bonham, TX. In Dec. of 1961, Rev. French surrendered to the ministry and was officially ordained on July 6, 1962. The five churches he served were Pecan Grove Baptist Church and Victory Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas City Missionary Baptist Church in Texas City, and Carthage Missionary Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church which was organized over 25 years ago in Carthage. He furthered his education by earning a Master of English Bible in 1971 and a Doctorate of Theology in 1996, from the Texas Baptist Institute. Rev. French was a master mason and was a member of the Carthage Masonic Lodge #521 and the Texas City Lodge #1118. He was also a member San Felipe de Austin Commandery #1 Knights Templar in Galveston. Rev. French was involved with the Pine Springs Youth Encampment and served as the camp registrar and adult teacher for 23 years and he composed the Baptist Training Course Adult Quarterly for five years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and devoted pastor. Rev. French was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Davy Herm; and three brothers, George, Harrison, and Cass French, Jr.

Rev. French is survived by his wife of 54 years, Brenda French of Carthage; two daughters, Terri French of League City and Beth Hall of Carthage; one son, Joey French and wife Elizabeth of Carthage; three grandchildren, Amy Trittel and husband Phillip of League City, Jeremy Hall of Carthage, and Kelsey French of Tyler; one great-granddaughter, Natali Trittel; a special sister-in-law, Bobbie French; and the Trinity Baptist Church Family. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Rev. French.

Serving as pallbearers are Chilton Stuart, Mark Cox, Dan Lovil, Dr. George Taylor, Hal Simpson, and D.R. Akin.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Cecil Bettevy, Bill Rosenblum, and Charlie Lawhorn.

If desired, memorials may be made to Heart's Way Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633 or the Texas Baptist Institute, 1300 Longview Dr., Henderson, TX 75652.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.