Charles Arthur Hitson

Charles Hitson Sweetwater, TN Charles Arthur Hitson, age 87, of Sweetwater, passed away on January 26, 2023. He was preceded in death by wife Clara June (Allmon) Hitson, father George Washington Hitson and mother Florence Viola Hitson. He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Macy and Tom Foster, Beth and Derek Keeney, and Jill and Tony Harris; sons and daughters-in-law Robin and Mandy Hitson, and Brian and Mary Helen Hitson; grandchildren Jed Foster; Daniel (and wife Athena), Luke, and Tyler Keeney; Will, Alex, and Riley Harris; Abbey Oligny (and husband Jake); and Sophia and Romy Hitson. Known by “Arthur” through high school, Charlie was born in Loudon County, Tennessee, on August 7, 1935. As a child of the Great Depression, he grew up working on tenant farms, learning subsistence skills and how to get by on next to nothing. After high school, he briefly worked his way through college before being drafted into the U.S. Army, serving most of his active duty in Germany from 1958-60. Shortly after he and Clara married, he got a job as a machinist and later as a programmer at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, TN. Over a 30-year career, he was involved in producing containers used by NASA to collect moon rocks as well as classified weapons work that helped win the Cold War. Along with Clara, he taught his five kids practical skills in construction, vehicle maintenance, gardening, and cooking but more importantly the values of decency, honesty, and humility. Charlie was the personification of Matthew 6:1-21. His family would sometimes learn of his quiet acts of generosity to others, sometimes when he could least afford to be generous. His colloquialisms were legendary and will always bring sweet smiles to our faces. He didn’t waste his words, so we hung on every one. The family appreciates the decades of teaching, friendship, and fellowship from the pastors and friends of First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, TN, as well as many dear neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 P.M. in Kyker’s Chapel with Rev. Brian Courtney officiating. Interment to follow in the Sweetwater Memorial Park. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers please make memorials in honor of Charles Hitson to First Baptist Church of Philadelphia Community Meal Ministry at PO Box 45, Philadelphia, TN 37846

Charles Arthur Hitson

August 7, 1935 - January 26, 2023