There are surely celebrations in heaven today, as Charles Franklin Fail passed from this earth on April 27, 2015. “Charlie Boy” was many things to many people: loving husband, gracious father and grandfather, respected and adored employer, and a friendly, smiling face to all he encountered. Above all, however, he was a faithful Christian; confidently, he is now at rest with his heavenly Father. In our culture of comfort, not many know how to prepare for dying. But that is exactly what Charlie Fail made a practice of doing each and every day as he prepared for heavenly, rather than earthly, riches. He was lifelong member of Bay Springs Baptist Church, a church founded in part by his parents, and was ordained there as a deacon on January 20, 1974. His life on this earth was never boring; his accomplishments were many and his legacy will serve as an inspiration to generations.
Born in 1929, Charlie was the middle of three children born to Donnie Fail and Estelle Yelverton Fail in Bay Springs, MS. From grade school to his golden age, he has been described as “pleasant” and “considerate” by peers and colleagues alike. He was voted “friendliest,” “most handsome,” and captain of the football team in high school. His congenial nature and handsome appearance garnered him much well deserved popularity, honor, and respect, yet he never gave way to egotism nor conceit.
Charlie briefly attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship before transferring to Mississippi College, where he completed his football career. Charlie graduated from Mississippi College in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. No stranger to sacrifice and hard work, Charlie served his country in Korea as a member of the United States Army as personal secretary to a general due to his superior typing skills. Afterward, he returned to Bay Springs to continue to work in the beloved family telephone business.
Charlie’s parents founded the local telephone company in 1923. Charlie and his siblings were active in the business operations from an early age and contributed to its success in growing to from an operation that served a small area around Bay Springs to a regional provider of telephone service to many communities in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. Their long distance company serviced many areas of the United States. Charlie’s deep roots and sincere affection for the telecommunications industry led to his founding of Fail Telecommunications Corporation (FTC) in 1992, of which he proudly and competently served as President and CEO for over 23 years. Charlie’s success in the telephone business was duplicated in several other business ventures. At different times, he was active in the ownership and management of Insurance companies in Mississippi and Florida, in several banks in Mississippi and Florida, in several restaurants in Louisiana and Mississippi, in several cable television companies in Mississippi and in catfish farming. Not only was Charlie Fail successful in business, he was also active in various civic affairs.
As a young man, his friends and neighbors elected him constable in Jasper County. He served on many trade association boards He was chosen to serve on the board of Mississippi College for several years. Charlie was an avid aviator and enjoyed piloting a variety of different planes over the years. He enjoyed boating and skiing with his family.
Above all, however, he was a faithful Christian; confidently, he is now at rest with his heavenly Father. In our culture of comfort, not many know how to prepare for dying. But that is exactly what Charlie Fail made a practice of doing each and every day as he prepared for heavenly, rather than earthly, riches. He was lifelong member of Bay Springs Baptist Church, a church founded in part by his parents, and was ordained there as a deacon on January 20, 1974.
Charlie was welcomed into the presence of God by his parents, Donnie and Estelle; sister, Dorothy Dell Mayfield; son, Shay Cooper Fail; and nephew, Mark Stevens Mayfield.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Dorothea Nell “Dot”; daughter, Donna Christa (William) Alexander; son, Cy Franklin (Pamela) Fail; brother, Joseph Donald (Nancy) Fail; and grandchildren, Christa LaDonna Alexander, Nicholas Franklin Fail, Charles Cyrus Fail, Alexis Charles Alexander, and Julie Elizabeth Fail.
Visitation will be held from 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Thursday April 30 at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Bay Springs, MS.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 1 Bay Springs Baptist Church with the body lying in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be immediately following in the Bay Springs Cemetery.