Charlie J. Lail, Sr., age 86, of Alpharetta, passed away Saturday, September 20. Charlie was born on April 17, 1939, in Chickamauga, Georgia, to Arling James and Cleo Smith Lail.

Charlie came to Atlanta as a young man in the late 1950s as a short-haul truck driver, met his future wife, Carolyn Lee, on a blind date and soon got married. In the next few years, he earned an Associates degree from Southern Tech and a Bachelors degree in Business from Georgia State, and went to work for Atlanta Gas Light Company. All this while growing their family to include three sons.

Charlie and Carol moved to Newnan, Georgia in 1971, and became active members of the community through First United Methodist Church, coaching little league sports, and membership and leadership in the Kiwanis Club. They also grew the family again with the addition of a daughter.

Additional promotions took the family to Marietta and northeast Georgia, and he eventually retired as a Senior Vice President of AGL Resources in 1998. The family moved to North Fulton in 1988 with the purchase of acreage to house horses and future antique cars.

Charlie was an avid car enthusiast, buying his first antique car while still a teenager, a 1929 Model A Tudor. He moved the parts of that same car around with the family until he restored it into a real hot rod after retirement. He later purchased or restored three other cars, earning accolades at multiple car shows every year.

He donated time driving the bus for church and school activities and attended lots of sporting and music events in support of his children and grandchildren. He volunteered his construction skills with Habitat for Humanity and did relief work with Samaritan's Purse. He also perfected his pecan pie recipe and entertained friends and family with Carol often. He always enjoyed people and will be missed by many.
Along with his parents, Charlie is preceded in death by his three brothers and oldest son, Charlie J. Lail, Jr. (Jody). He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Lee Lail, sons Chris (Karla) Lail of Sharpsburg and Patrick (Charlotte) Lail of Atlanta, daughter Betsy (Dave) Fitzhenry of Rydal, daughter-in-law Nancy Lail of Buford, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandsons.

Visitation for Charlie Lail will take place at 10:30 am on Monday, September 29, at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia. The funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00 pm, with burial in the City of Chickamauga Cemetery in Chickamauga, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alpharetta Methodist Church Music Department.