Charles Lewis McElheney

Charles Lewis McElheney, 74, affectionately known as “Shakey” and “C-Murder”, was born in Monticello, Georgia to the late Charles Wesley and Florida Mae McElheney. He graduated from Hamilton High School of DeKalb County School System on May 31, 1968.

Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force November 15, 1968 serving four years as a Military Police.  While in the service, he deployed to fight in the Vietnam War, earning the title, “GUNFIGHTER EXTRAORDINAIRE” and appointed a lifetime member to the 366th TFW Gunfighters of Danang, for his heroic and faithful performance of duty.  After his honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, Charles continued his service to the United States as a civil Servant working as one of the best NC Machinist at the Eglin Air Force Base Model/Machine Shop.  He was most proud of his children and grandchildren and loved watching them in sports. Charles was giving, super quick-witted, loved to have fun, joke, laugh, listen to music, dance (but couldn’t), and eat.

Though not without flaws, Charles was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and partner.

Charles is survived by his three daughters, Tonya Bell of Crestview, Florida, Adora McElheney of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Nakisha Thomas of Crestview, Florida; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; four loving sisters, Clara Manning, Sarah Brown, Argilie Fowler, and Katherine McElheney, all of Atlanta, Georgia; three brothers, Hugh McElheney, Edward McElheney, and Wayne McElheney (Crystal), all of Georgia; as well as a host of nieces and nephews, Rhonda Manning and Vanessa Manning-Wall, Youlanda Fowler, Tara Yancey, Alex Brown, Arglidian Weathersby, Taurus McElheney and Melvin Penn, Alan, Katelynn, and Christian; and a special friend “Girlfriend”, Debra Grant.

He was proceeded in death by his brothers, Eugene and Jack McElheney; brother-in-law, Freddie Manning; and niece, Linekii Manning.

A Funeral Service will be held at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32547 on Monday, May 8, 2023, beginning at 2:00 P.M. A Visitation will be held one hour prior.  A Graveside interment will be held Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 cemetery road, Pensacola, Florida, 32508, with military honors.