Charles Autrell, "C.A.," West, age 86, died on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at the home of his daughter, Gayle Edwards, in Adairsville, Georgia. From his birth in Calhoun, Georgia on December 10, 1932 to his death on Wednesday he nourished people around him with love, laughter and music. He was born on a farm near Folsom to Henry Hamilton and Lula Estelle (Mealer) West and was the 6th child of ten born to them. By the age of four, he had taught himself to play the piano on an old organ he found in the woods. By the age of 12, he was playing the piano for churches around Adairsville and Calhoun, and Lafayette, Alabama. He continued playing the piano for 82 years and also gave piano lessons.

He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. C.A. met his sweetheart, Thomasine Allen at a church singing where he was a member of the quartet. C.A. and Tommie married on September 19, 1953 in Gordon County. During his service in the Air Force, they lived in Topeka, Kansas, finally settling in Adairsville, Georgia, following his honorable discharge. His hobbies were exhibiting Tennessee Walking Horses and rabbit hunting with his beagles.

Left to honor C.A. and remember his love are C.A. and Tommie's three children, Gayle Edwards, Debra Watson, and Jeff West, seven grandchildren; Amy (Jamie) Pass, Stephanie (Charles) Graves, Ashely (Brandy) Black, Lauren (Brett) Stephens, Justin (Sydney) West, Meagan West and Brittany (Coy) Ricker; seven great-grandchildren: Trey Green, Cameron Boswell, Olivia West, Thomas Graves, Jackson Graves, Barrett Stephens and Emma Catherine Graves; siblings, Frances Christian, Henry West, Jr., Billy H. (Ruby) West, Martha (C.L.) Craig, Pat (Charles) Bradford and Sue (Bobby) Gentry; Sisters-in-law Avie (Larry) Phillips, Edna Rankin, Helen Jarrell, Judy Brooks ; brothers-in-law James Allen and Robert (Teresa) Allen; a special niece Amanda Phillips; a special nephew, Stacey (Stephanie) Bradford; and many nieces and nephews.

C.A. was preceded in death by his parents, son Allen, brothers Ralph and Max West, sister Ruby Bennett and sons-in-law Douglas Watson and Barry Edwards. C.A. will be remembered as a bright, shining light among his family.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Barton's Funeral Home in Adairsville, Georgia with Reverend Larry Hibberts and Chaplain Jason Jordan officiating. Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery following the service. Pallbearers will be: William Smith, Trey Green, Cameron Boswell, Ashley Black, Jamie Pass, Jon Rankin, Jimmy Bradford and Barry Bradford. Honorary Pallbearers are: Billy Smith, Jimbo Brown, Rev. Ken Tankersly, and Rev. Bobby Duck. The family will greet friends from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Sunday at Barton's. The West family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Compassus Hospice Care of Calhoun and special friends Billy Smith, Tammy Hufstetler, Susan Malone Beecham, and Carolyn Carney for their attentiveness and loving care.