“Heeeere they come!” That may very well be the most recognized phrase in Lincoln County, especially when it was spoken by announcer Charley Therrell during the harness races at the annual Lincoln County Fair in Fayetteville, Tennessee.
Born Charles Wayne Therrell, Mr. Charley passed away peacefully Thursday (Sept. 19, 2019) at Saint Thomas West Medical Center in Nashville. He was 77. Just a week earlier, he had been in Lincoln County for the 115th Annual Fair, again announcing the harness races one last time. A ceremony honoring his many years of service here – 47 to be exact – was held on the track about midweek.
A resident of Sugar Tree in Decatur County, between Nashville and Jackson, Therrell was a devout Catholic, attending Saint Regina’s Catholic Church in Parsons at the time of his death.
Mr. Charley was born in Philadelphia, Miss., educated in the public schools, attended Mississippi State University, and in 1962 began a career as a sales agent in automotive and industrial tools and equipment until his retirement in 1998.
His first love, though, was harness horse racing. He was involved in harness racing for 10 years, including owning and driving harness horses, before becoming an announcer. Mr. Charley then became the voice of Philadelphia’s Neshoba County Fair as harness racing announcer, a tradition he kept up for 40 years.
In 1970, he was working a show in Artesia, Miss., when a couple of ladies from Lincoln County introduced themselves, he had told The Times several years ago. Those ladies were Mrs. Sarah Byrd Posey and Mrs. Vera Stewart.
“In 1972, Mrs. Posey called and asked me to come up and help for two days as a substitute as their regular announcer wasn’t able to be here every day there was racing,” Mr. Charley had said in that interview. “I guess they liked what they heard. I was invited back in 1973 and have been back every year since.”
Mr. Charley also loved Mississippi State University sports and road trips with his wife, Su. He enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren as well.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Neri Therrell; brother, Jim Therrell; nephew, Matt Therrell; and wife of 45 years, Nancy Therrell.
Mr. Charley is survived by his wife, Su Therrell, Sugar Tree; son, Todd Therrell (Kelly), Madison, Miss.; daughters, Mary Ann Martin (Chris Hester), Thompson’s Station, Lisa Downs (Jimmy), Huntsville, Ala., Emily Havens (Lee), Cleveland, Miss., and Pam Tvrdik (Dave LeBarre), Destin, Fla.; grandchildren, Kate and Grayson Therrell, Jax and Charlie Martin, Ethan, Abby, and Emma Hester, Callie Downs Bush (Jonathan), Seattle, Wash., Harrison Downs Wood (Wilks), Raleigh, NC, and William, Elizabeth Gray, and Anna Patrick Havens; sister, Marlene Collins, Danville, Ky.; sister-in-law, Geraldine (Dan) Therrell, Philadelphia, Miss.; nieces, Stacie Therrell Weir, Philadelphia, Miss., Callie Collins, and Alex Weir Leming (Blake), Virginia Beach, Va.; and nephew, Matt Weir.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Parsons Mortuary from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Parsons, Tenn. Visitation will also be held in Philadelphia, Miss., at McClain-Hays Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Eastlawn Cemetery in Philadelphia.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Charley’s memory to Saint Regina’s Catholic Church 108 Skyline Lane, Parsons, TN 38363, or Covenant Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 896, Cleveland, MS 38732.
Reprinted with permission from the Elk County Times