Charles David Ingram, Sr.

Charles David Ingram, Sr., age 81, of Cumming passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Royston and Ellene Ingram, his brother George and sister-in-law Betty Ingram, sister Joyce and brother-in-law Ryman Maddox, sister-in-law Gloria Ingram, brother-in-law Don Stafford, and parents-in-law Roy and Ineal Heard. Charles is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Gail Heard Ingram, his three children, Lori (Jeff) Furbush, Kristi--aka "Squirrel"-- (Jon) Quinn, and David (Christie) Ingram; and his seven grandchildren: Colin Quinn, Matthew Quinn, Drew Furbush, Zach Furbush, Carly Ingram, Olivia Ingram, and Josh Ingram. Brothers Royston Jr. ("Buck") and Robert (Sandra) Ingram, sister Linda Stafford, brothers-in-law Roger (Brenda) Heard and Rex (Pam) Heard also survive, along with numerous nieces and nephews.  

Charles was born on July 18, 1942, in Cumming. From the time he was young, Charles was a very active member of the community and was loved by many. At Forsyth County High School (class of 1960), he played football and the saxophone while also finding time to earn his Eagle Scout badge. After spending two years in the Corps of Cadets at North Georgia College, he graduated from the University of Georgia in 1964 with a BBA and then earned an additional banking degree from the Banking School of the South at LSU. He served as a Captain in the Air Force until January of 1969 and then started working at the Forsyth County Bank.  Aside from being the President of Forsyth County Bank, he was active in the Jaycees, the Cumming Shrine Club (of which he was President in 1978) and the Lafayette Lodge #44 F&AM. He was a Mason for 50 years and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Cumming. He was a past president of the Chamber of the Commerce, a member of the Zoning Board, and was appointed to the Biracial Committee by Governor Joe Frank Harris in 1987. Upon his retirement from the bank, he and his brother-in-law Don Stafford founded Ingram-Stafford Ford Mercury in Ellijay, Georgia. He was also one of the founding members of Citizens Bank of Forsyth County in 1996, and he remained active on the Board of Directors there for 25 years, officially retiring in March of 2021.  

Charles was a friend to many in the community and was known for his compassion and down-to-earth personality. He believed in treating everyone with respect and dignity and taught his children and grandchildren to do the same. He was a shrewd businessman with a strong moral compass and sense of duty. "Taking care of business" was one of the things he did best, but he was a lot more than a businessman. He had a keen sense of humor and a grand sense of adventure. He loved flying airplanes, boating on Lake Lanier, watching Georgia football on Saturdays (GO DAWGS!), traveling out West, riding electronic bikes with his brother Buck, and going on motorcycle trips with his many friends. He was a proud member of the "Neutered Hogs." They went from riding motorcycles to Smart cars to simply enjoying time together at Roosters. He also enjoyed riding his Schnoodle, Winston, around the neighborhood in the mule every afternoon. He was devoted to his family and put them above all else. "Papa" was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and continued to pass his wisdom on to them until the very end of his life. Charles was a larger-than-life character in all ways and leaves big shoes to fill. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. 

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Ingram Funeral Home with Reverend Danny Bennett and Reverend Stan Percival officiating. Interment will follow at Sawnee View Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Charles to Creative Enterprises Inc. located at 410 Pilgrim Mill Road, Cumming, GA 30040.  

The Service can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/live/IzzNwPm3WPg?si=nLoqzML7qxtpyKQD