Charlie C Battles

Mr. Charlie C. Battles, 77, of Rome, GA, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at a local hospital.
Charlie was born in Rome on January 23, 1937 in a house on North Avenue to the late Julian and Nobie Johnson Battles. Shortly after his birth, a chimney pipe came loose and covered him and his mother in black soot. They moved to a new 5 room house in the Celanese community and grew up running the roads on his bike with friends.
He graduated from Rome High School in 1955 and immediately went to work at General Electric in Rome in the draftsman training program. On November 2, 1959, he married Marie Jones in a simple ceremony at Calvary Baptist Church. They lived in a small apartment and lived on mashed potatoes and green peas for a while. In 1962, they built a house in West Rome and shortly thereafter, in 1965, were blessed with a daughter, Vanessa Marie then, in 1969, another daughter Carla Caye.
He was involved in the Rome Little Theatre, most of the times behind the scenes and later working the lights for many a dance recital and Miss Rome pageant at the Rome City Auditorium. When Vanessa and Carla started school at West Rome, he could be found at all of their events, driving the band buses and working at Peach State Marching Festival. He never missed a football game or band competition. When both girls went to the University of Georgia, he transferred his affection there and held season tickets for Bulldog games "between the hedges" for many years.
Charlie was always on the edge of technology, having one of the first microwave ovens, cordless phones, computers, cell phones and video equipment. He even rode a motorcycle for a short time until more level heads prevailed. In the early 90's, he bought a little red convertible and for nearly 20 years was known around Rome for driving it with his white ponytail blowing in the wind. He retired from GE in 1995 and started his morning routine of eating breakfast with his friends at local fast food restaurants.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marie Jones Battles; two daughters, Vanessa Marie Walden and her husband Dan, Ringgold, GA; Carla Caye Cornwell and her husband Tansley, Rome, GA; four grandchildren, Katie and Reace Walden and Julia and Lauren Cornwell. Sister Virginia Battles Dean; sister-in-law Judi Mixon; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, July 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Rome Civic Center. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice.
The staff of Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Charlie Battles.