Oct. 28, 1929 –

June 20, 2013

Mr. Charlie Lee Rathel, 83, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013, at Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge.
Services for Mr. Rathel will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 23, 2013, at West Street Baptist Church. Bro. Mike Phillips will be officiating with Mr. Ronald Black. Employees of Rathel Auto Parts, Sammy Hand, Ricky Bland, Ronald Black, Chuck Howell, Johnny Palmer, Fernando Garcia and Yarek Beno, will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.

Charlie Lee Rathel was born Oct. 28, 1929, in Miller County, Ga. to Charlie and Fannie Mae Miller Rathel. He served his country in the U.S. Army. Charlie was the founder of Rathel Auto Parts and he worked until retirement at the Georgia Industries for the Blind. For 20 years he has been a faithful member of West Street Baptist Church. He was a member of VFW Post 4904.

Charlie Rathel was a good man. He was charitable and humble. He loved working with cars and car parts. Charlie Rathel will be missed so very much by the friends and family he adored. As he passed, his “Doll” (Margie Kirkland) and loving family were with him.

Charlie L. Rathel is survived by his step-mother, Sara Rathel of Colquitt, Ga.; children, Charles Rathel and wife, Susan of Bainbridge and Tammy Hornsby and husband, Royce of Brinson; wonderful friend and special companion, Margie Kirkland and her family, Leighann Wright and Brandon Kirkland and their children, Avery and Garrett Wright and Keyslen Kirkland; sisters, Dorothy Watson and husband, Tommy, and Sandra Smith, both of Colquitt; grandchildren, Misty Smith and husband, Jamie, Chane Rathel and wife, Rhonda, Andy Doss, Chad Rathel, Haley Rathel, Cabe Rathel, Cliff Bennett and wife, Britt, Darrell Peter and wife, Katie, and Jayson Rathel; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Mattie Lee Rathel.

Cox Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.