Charles Ramsey Jervis

Mr. Charles Ramsey "Chuck" Jervis, age 92, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at Bartow Regional Medical Center. Born September 10, 1917 in Leicester, NC, Mr. Jervis was the son of the late C. Fred and Myrtle Ramsey Jervis. Mr. Jervis graduated from Hendersonville High School at the age of 15 and Mars Hill Junior College at the age of 17. He graduated from Wake Forest University at the age of 19 with a Bachelor's Degree, majoring in Science and minoring in Math. In 1940 he met Gladys Towers in Tennessee and the two were married after a short two month courtship. Mr. Jervis was a veteran of WWII, serving in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theatre. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bartow since 1952. It was there that he served as a Deacon, later being pronounced Deacon Emeritus, and was a Sunday School Teacher who was well respected for his preparedness and vigor in studying the Bible. Mr. Jervis retired as Industrial Relations Manager from IMC Phosphate after 32 years of service to the company. He was a longtime member of Peace River Country Club. Mr. Jervis had many other interests that he was known for, including being an accomplished pianist who had a love for music. He loved to garden, growing tomatoes and collard greens. He was a talented photographer and a prolific writer. After retirement, he became an avid clockmaker. He made clocks to provide to family and friends, even going as far to hand deliver them out of state. Mr. Jervis was active with the Masonic Lodge of Lakeland and the Shriners in Tampa. He will be remembered for his fun-loving sense of humor. Mr. Jervis was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle. He is loved and cherished by all fortunate enough to have known him. Mr. Jervis was preceded in death by an infant sister, Mildred Jervis, and sister Thelma Jervis Pittman. He leaves behind a loving family that includes his wife of 69 years, Gladys Towers Jervis, daughter Patricia Jervis Poe (Bill) of Bartow, two grandchildren; Lara Hill Turner, Julie Hill Welch (Mike), three great grandchildren; Rhylee Welch, Hayden Welch, and Logan Turner. He also is survived by a host of loving nieces and nephews. Mr. Jervis has been cared for for the last 3 1/2 years by his granddaughter Julie, a Registered Nurse, her husband Mike and nephew Derek Knight, all of whom were loving and exemplary caregivers. His other granddaughter Lara Turner, also a Registered Nurse, faithfully attended to her grandfather in the hospital for very nearly the duration of his final hours. His loving and dedicated daughter Pat faithfully and lovingly prepared meals for, daily visited, and transported her father to doctor's appointments for many years. The family will receive friends from 1pm to 2pm Saturday, January 9th at the First Baptist Church of Bartow, 410 East Church Street in Bartow. Memorial services will follow at 2:00pm also at the church. Memorial contributions may be to the First Baptist Church, Partners in Ministry Fund, 410 East Church Street, Bartow, FL 33830.