03/26/2025
We are absolutely heartbroken to share the sudden passing of Charles Willis on Monday night.
It seems impossible to put our emotions into words. Whether youâve been coming in for the entire 32 years that Charles has been here, or if you just found us in the last few, you know how much Charles meant to everyone. He was truly one of a kind, and 52 years simply wasnât enough time.
For those that donât know, Charles walked in looking for work at the age of 21 after moving back home from Alabama State, where he played football. He had played QB at Shaw for Coach Terry Curtis, who Mack and Roshell had known since high school, so they found a spot for him. It didnât take long for Charles (or Buff, as his childhood friends know him) to show that he had the personality and work ethic to fit in perfectly. Charles never met a stranger, and he treated everyone with dignity and respect.
***link to memorial fund below***
He didnât just work here. Charles has been with us through the best times in our lives, and through the worst. He became a part of our family. And in those 32 years he built strong and lasting friendships with many of you. Some of you even remember the many years when his mother, Mrs. Deloris Willis, ran the register for us. We truly were a family, and it wonât be the same without him here.
Many have asked how they can help, so we've set up a memorial fund(link below) in order to help the family deal with the financial stress of this sudden loss. We will also be accepting donations for the family at the restaurant. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated.
https://gofund.me/48927d63
Please keep his wife, Taiecha, his daughter McKenzie, a sophomore at USA, his mother, brother, and all his family in your prayers.