Final Salute

Charles Tunstall Bryars of Columbiana, Alabama passed away on February 13, 2025. He was born in Collinsville, Alabama, and moved to Birmingham at the age of 4. He graduated from West End High School and went on to graduate from Birmingham Southern with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Charles was always proud of the fact that he managed to work full-time, go to college, and start raising a family all at the same time. He served in the Navy, where he was a Seabee, from 1958 – 1963 and was stationed for a while, at Guantanamo Bay.
A visitation will be from 11:00 to 11:30 on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Columbiana United Methodist Church, with the funeral following at 11:30. Memorials can be made to the Shelby County Humane Society.
Charles was preceded in death by his father: Tunstall S. Bryars; his mother: Berthel Bryars; and his brother: Wayne Bryars.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years: Sue Cain Bryars; his children: David M. Bryars (Kellie), Dan W. Bryars (Paige), and Robin Bryars Higgins (Kyle); his 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother: Dan Bryars; his sisters: Gwen Johnson and Nancy Essig; and many nieces and nephews.
Charles had a long career with Southern Bell, South Central Bell, and BellSouth. In 1991, he retired with 33 years of service. His retired years were spent riding a motorcycle and fishing on Lay Lake. In addition, he and Sue loved traveling all over the country, in their 5th Wheel travel trailer. Charles was able to say that he had experienced all 50 states and half of Canada in his travels. Charles and Sue also enjoyed volunteering their time, as campground hosts, at various campgrounds in Alabama, often staying for months at a time. Charles was an avid woodworker and would spend hours in his shop thinking of, and planning, new projects. It was always his wish to be to make something for every member of the family. Charles loved all of his many pets through the years and could be seen walking them all over the neighborhood and campgrounds that they visited.
Charles also volunteered at the Shelby County Jail and was a member of the Kiwanis and Civitan civic organizations, during his life. Thanks to Charles’ sense of humor, he has left us with many “Charles-isms” and unique stories. Charles loved God and spent his entire life as a member of the United Methodist Church. He served them both faithfully.
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