Charles Richard Hinton

Published 3:32 pm Monday, June 23, 2025

Dec. 6, 1942 – June 21, 2025

NATCHEZ – Charles Richard Hinton, lovingly known as “Charles”, “Charlie,” “Chuck,” and to his grandchildren, “Poppy,” passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, at his home at the Blake in Flowood, MS, surrounded by his devoted daughters.

Services will be held at noon on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Jefferson Street Methodist Church with Rev. Will Wilkerson officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at Jefferson Street Methodist Church on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. until noon.

Born on Dec. 6, 1942, in Buffalo, MS, to Willis Warren “Pete” and Adelle Perry Hinton, Charles grew up in a loving, faith-filled home as one of five siblings. He graduated from Crosby High School in 1960 and earned a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS.

Charles played football for Ole Miss from 1960 to 1961 before leaving the university to enlist in the United States Navy, where he served from 1961 to 1963. He returned to Ole Miss in 1964 and was the starting center from 1964 to 1966, serving as a team captain in his senior year.

Among his accolades as an Ole Miss Rebel, Charles was selected All-SEC in 1966, invited and played in the East-West Shrine Game, won the Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award in the 7th Annual Liberty Bowl, and was presented the Ole Miss Leadership Award, voted on by the 1966 Ole Miss Football Team, for his leadership both on and off the field.

While at Ole Miss, he met and fell in love with Jo Ann Moore of Memphis. He and Jo were wed on June 3, 1967, at Whitehaven Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN, and shared a loving 55 years together and raised three daughters.

Before ever snapping a ball in his 1964 season with the Ole Miss Rebels, Charles was drafted by both the San Diego Chargers and the New York Giants in the 1964 AFL and NFL drafts, respectively. He ultimately chose to play for the New York Giants, where he was the center from 1967 to 1969.

During their time in New York, Charles and Jo welcomed their first child, Tracy Ann. They greatly enjoyed their years in the city; however, a knee injury sustained during the season brought an early end to Charles’ professional football career.

The family relocated to Natchez, where Charles worked for Union National Insurance from 1971 to 1976. He then joined Schlumberger, where he remained until his retirement in 1997. During these years, Charles and Jo were blessed with two more daughters, Meghan Elizabeth and Haley Blair.

In 1995, Charles purchased One Stop Package Store, which he owned and operated until 2012. Following his official retirement, he embraced a slower pace of life, enjoying simple pleasures such as afternoon naps, watching The Andy Griffith Show, and listening to Rick Hughes of Berachah Church’s podcast, “The FLOT Line”. He found great joy in boat rides with Jo at their camp on Lake St. John, traveling with her to visit her mother in Memphis, spending time with their children, grandchildren, and extended family, cruising to various destinations, and cheering on the Rebels both in Oxford and on the road.

A little over a year and a half after Jo’s passing in April 2022, Charles moved to The Blake in Flowood, MS, where he resided until his passing.

Charles was a member of Jefferson Street Methodist Church, Men’s Club, the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and M-Club, National Football League Players Association, and Cypress Grove Hunting Club. He cherished every moment with his ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ as Jo lovingly called their three daughters. Whether it was hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, or weekends at Lake St. John, he found joy in sharing the outdoors with them. He patiently taught them—and many of their friends—how to drive in the pasture and was always there on the sidelines, proudly coaching them through the many seasons of their lives and sports. He never met a stranger and loved telling a good joke or a funny story.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Jo; parents, Pete and Adelle; and sister-in-law, Claire.

He is survived by his four siblings: Willis (Claire), Edward (Denise), Cloyce (Ruthie), Beth (Mickey) Bee; his three children, Tracy Hinton, Meghan (Rhyne) Hooks and Haley (Ben) Claxton; his seven grandchildren, Chesney Ellison, Karlee Fails, McCray Fails, Colton Easley, Benjamin Claxton Jr. and Mary Evans Claxton; three bonus grandchildren, Will Hooks, Ben Hooks and Ann Phelps Hooks; three great-grandchildren, Riggen Ellison, Halle Ellison and Grayson Hernandez.

He will also be fondly remembered by his late wife, Jo’s siblings, Chuck (Sally) Moore, Jim (Sara) Moore, and Mike (Mary) Moore, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He will be remembered for his faith, leadership, loyalty, gentle spirit, and outpouring of love for his family and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.