Charles E. Waldrup, 66, of Bay Springs, Mississippi, died Monday January 18, 2021, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. He was born Sunday, February 28, 1954, in Laurel, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Sylvarena Baptist Church. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at 3:00 PM at Sylvarena Baptist Church with burial to follow in Bay Springs City Cemetery. Bro. Rusty Stockman will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Bay Springs is in charge of arrangements. (601) 764-2181.

He became the County Agent for Smith County in 1983. He retired in 2006 after serving twenty-six years in this capacity.

He loved working with area farmers and gardeners with any issues concerning their flowers and farm crops. He also worked diligently to make the Smith County Beef and Poultry Expo a success.

Charles also enjoyed the 4-H and FFA kids and pulling pranks on them. He could keep you going with some things he would say or do with the kids at their livestock shows. One former youth exhibitor remembered a time when she was in the ring showing her calf and it got loose from her.

For whatever reason, she ran to the concession stand. She remembers Charles came and got her and took her back to the ring. She later asked him why he came to get her when that happened. He said, "Cause I knew your Mama and Daddy would whoop you for letting go." All ages have fond memories of not only his jokes, but also the care and dedicatioon he gave to everything he was involved in. Charles graduated from Sylva Bay Academy in 1972 and earned his Master's Degree from MS State University.

He was the Assistant County Agent in Jones County as well as their 4-H Youth Agent. He also taught Agriculture for two years at the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Philadelphia and came to Smith County in July of 1983. Charles gained many friends in his new endeavor. With his good nature and the pleasure of working with the public, he was recognized for his work with the many awards he received during his career.

Some of which were: The Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents Achievement Award in 1986, Outstanding Extension Agent, Mississippi Pork Producers Association, 1986, Most Outstanding Extension Service Extension Plant Pathology E-1 Dupont, 1986, Tri-State Extension Weed Contest District Winner, 1989, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Certificate of Program in Mississippi, Mississippi Cattlemen Association, 1992, Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents Commercial Horticulture Award, 1994, Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents Distinguished Service Award, 1997, Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents Outstanding Agricultural Agents Outstanding County Director, 2003, William M. White Special Project Award, Mississippi State University, 2004.

Charles joined Southern Pine Electric as a member of the Board of Directors after his retirement. President and CEO of Southern Pine, Chris K. Rhodes stated, "Charles served the members of Southern Pine diligently and faithfully for many years and always had the best interests of Southern Pine and our members at heart.

He will be missed tremendously and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time." Charles was appointed as the Executive Director of the Smith County Economic Development Board. In his capacity of Director, he worked tirelessly to bring industry and businesses to Smith County. Charles is survived by his wife, Pam, his son Chad, and two grandchildren, Chandler and Anna Catherine Waldrup.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Earlene Waldrup; sister-in-law, Sandra Waldrup.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Pamela K. Waldrup; son, Chad K. Waldrup; grandchildren, Chandler M. Waldrup, and Anna Catherine Waldrup; brother, Ralph Waldrup; brother-in-law, Ronnie Joe Keyes (Shana); niece, Shonda Fontenot (Michael); nephews, Troy Waldrup (Mary Anna), Robert Waldrup (Maria), Joel Keyes; a host of great-nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Paul Myrick, Rickey Ruffin, Berry Pessoney, Matt Waldrup, Austin Waldrup, Joel Keyes, Lee Taylor, Tommy Bishop, and Mitchell Rayner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth James, Lex James, Joe Tally, John Kilgore, John Keenan, Chad Copeland, Brent Rayborn, and Dylan McNeil.