Charles "Charlie" Ellington Thorne

Charles Ellington “Charlie” Thorne, age 88, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2016. Born in Nash County, NC on October 19, 1927, he was the son of the late Spencer T. Thorne and Anne Cox Thorne. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Lois Johnson Thorne; brothers, Dr. Edward Young Cox Thorne; and Spencer T. Thorne, Jr.; and sister, Sarah T. Connelly.

Charlie graduated from Rocky Mount High in 1945. During his high school years, he lettered in basketball, baseball and football and was co-captain his senior year of the Blackbirds basketball team. After high school graduation, he went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in history. He was drafted into the US Army. He was assigned to Shephard Field, TX for basic training. He was then assigned to Weather Observation School in Chanute Field, IL where he completed a 12 week training school before he was deployed to Okinawa. When he was discharged, he returned to Chapel Hill and graduated with a BA degree in history in 1951. While at UNC, he played on the basketball team. For two years, he was the co-captain and in 1951, he received the Foy Roberson Award, an award that is presented to the most inspirational player that was voted upon by his teammates and coaches. Charlie set a record in 1950 scoring seven points in just 15 seconds that still stands today. He was also a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity and was also treasury of the Freshman Friendship Counsel during his freshman year. Upon graduation from UNC, he began working with W. B. Lea Tobacco Company from July 1951 to April 1954 at which time he went to work for Britt Transportation Company. In 1958, with his vested interest in Britt Transportation Company, he bought them out, and renamed the business Cargocare Transportation Company and the business is still in operation today. Charlie was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church; member of Benvenue Country Club since 1952; member of the Kiwanis Club for 10 years; member of the Elks Club for 35 years; and was a past member of the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army. Charlie cherished his time spent with family; especially days spent at their beach home in Pine Knoll Shores, NC. He also enjoyed traveling around the world with his wonderful wife, Lois. Charlie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all who knew him. As everyone knows, Charlie was an avid Carolina Tar Heel Fan!

Charlie leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughters, Terri Darby of Zebulon; Susan Tanner and her husband, Jimmy, of Rocky Mount; and Cathy Sutton of Red Oak; and his son, Chuck Thorne of Nashville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alex Darby; Elizabeth Cook; Charlie Cook; and Michael Sutton, Jr.; his great-grandsons, Alexander Garris and Carson Cook; and his brother, Taylor T. Thorne.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount with Pastor Jim Bell officiating. A Committal Service will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum. The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

A very special thanks to Charlie’s caregivers for the exceptional care that they have provided: Terry Turner, Barbara Godwin, Erica Bradley, Willie Robinson, Diane Affonso, and Greg Blackett.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 7011 Thurston-Bowles Bldg., Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.