Charles Wilson Dismukes

In the morning hours of October 5, 2023, Charles Wilson Dismukes passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Kilmichael, Mississippi.

Charles was born March 20, 1939, in Kilmichael, Mississippi to William Gallaway and Maurine Austin Dismukes. He graduated from Kilmichael High School in 1957 before attending Mississippi State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Forest Management and became a lifelong Bulldog.  Charles married Carolyn Garrett on August 31, 1958, and they had two sons, Brian and Barry.  He was a devoted member of his church, First Baptist of Winona, where he attended the Glen Bourne Sunday School Class.

An avid outdoorsman, Charles began his lifelong career in land management at the age of 13 years old when he started his first tree farm. Following his graduation from Mississippi State University, Charles spent a short time in the forest industry before joining his father at Vaiden Pulpwood Company, taking over the business in 1973. The company is now owned and operated by his sons as Vaiden Timber Company.  In 2012, he was named Mississippi’s Tree Farmer of the Year. Shortly thereafter in 2018, Charles was awarded for Outstanding Service to Mississippi’s County Forestry Association. He was a dedicated member of numerous organizations devoted to service and preservation of natural resources including Society of American Foresters, Mississippi Forestry Association, and Lions Club of Kilmichael. He was a founding member of the Montgomery County Forestry Association. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Charles was devoted to his family. He enjoyed spending time in the woods and his woodshop, traveling with his wife, trout fishing in Arkansas, and cheering on his beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn Dismukes; sons, Brian Dismukes (Terie) of Grenada and Barry Dismukes (Linda) of Kilmichael; grandchildren, Garrett Dismukes (Kelsey N.) of Starkville, Wilson Dismukes (Kelsey R.) of Olive Branch, Maura Dismukes Cox (Josh) of Greenwood, S.C., and Alaina Dismukes of Starkville; great-grandsons, Charlie, John and Arthur Dismukes; great-granddaughter, Kacey Cox; sister, Janette Murphy; brother-in-law, Tom Garrett (Sherry); nieces and nephews, Jennifer Easter (Mack), John Gordon, Kevin Murphy (Connie), and Stacey Tatum (Jason). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Jack Murphy.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Kilmichael Friendship Cemetery in Kilmichael, Mississippi on October 14, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Don Smith presiding for family and friends to honor the life of Charles Dismukes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be directed to Mississippi Forestry Association Building Fund at 6311 Ridgewood Road, Suite W405, Jackson, MS  39211, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/donate.