Mr. Charles D. Carden

Mr. Charles Dempsey Carden, age 72, of Cloudland, GA, died Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Carden was born June 26, 1951, in Valley Head, AL, son of the late Ewel Lavance and Buena Lea Hope Carden.  He was Baptist by faith, and prior to his retirement, was the owner and operator of Collinsville Feed Mill.

Charles was an avid fan of all sports, especially football.  He was an incredible athlete in his younger years and was the Quarterback for the Valley Head football team his junior and senior years of high school.  In 1967 he was on the Dekalb County All Star Football team and the Alabama All State football team.  In 1968 he was once again on the Dekalb County All Star football team, the Alabama All State football team and basketball team, and made the All American football team.  His talent as quarterback for the teams he played with brought great attention.  He was sought after to play on football teams for the University of Alabama, Auburn, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Florida, Southern California, and Ole Miss just to name a few.  After visiting many universities and consideration he eventually chose to accept a scholarship to attend and play for the University of Tennessee. However, the joy that was brought to him by his wife, children, and grandchildren was far greater than any sporting event.  He would drop anything he had planned to do if any of his family ever needed anything of him whether it was running an errand, driving someone to the doctor, babysitting, or just being there to listen. 

In addition to his parents, Mr. Carden was preceded in death by a son, Clay Harris; brother, Glenn Carden; and mother-in-law, Clara Warren.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Lee Warren Carden; children, Andrea (Daniel) Hayes, Ashley (Sebastiano) Cavallo, Ansley (Daniel) Smith, Amanda (Jason) Wright, Lindy (Anthony) Vizinnia, John T. (Marcie) Davis,; brothers, Harold (Dianna) Carden, Jack Carden; sisters and brothers-in-law, John (Linda) Storey, Betty Blalock, Jeff Pack, and Matt Warren; grandchildren, Caden Smith, Emma Kate Smith, Libby Wright, Cali Cavollo, Collyn Davis, Harrison Davis, John Clayton (Grace) Groat, Evan (Gracie) McPherson, Maggie Groat, J.P. Groat; father-in-law, Brimp Warren.

Graveside and entombment services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Greenhills Memory Gardens with Rev. L.A. Smith officiating.  Active pallbearers will be Daniel Hayes, Sebastiano Cavallo, Daniel Smith, Jason Wright, Caden Smith, Harold Carden, Lee Carden and Mark Patton.  Honorary pallbearers will be Brimp Warren, Rex Abernathy, Matt Warren, Jeff Pack, John Storey, Albert Smith, Eddie Smith and Valley Head High School alumni.

Mr. Carden will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. on Sunday.

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