Born Dec. 19, 1926, to Charles Griffin and Fannie Ellen (Hargrave) Killebrew, Charline was a lifelong resident of Yazoo City. Her older sister, Katherine Killebrew Jordan, whom she affectionately called ‘Sissy’, was her closest companion. Sissy’s husband, Bull, often served as the sisters’ sidekick.
Charline attended the Yazoo City Public Schools, graduating in 1944, and spent much of her life as a bookkeeper and office manager for several Yazoo City businesses, including Shannon Tractor Company, where she enjoyed her time and worked until retirement.
Charline’s faith was incredibly important to her. In fact, her dedication to Christ and to her beloved First Baptist Church was well-documented throughout her personal Bible.
She was listed in First Baptist Church’s Cradle Roll Department at just 3 months old, in March 1927. She professed her faith during a revival when she was 11 and became an official member of First Baptist at age 18. For over a decade, she served as Church Clerk while also actively contributing to various committees and organizations throughout her 78-year membership.
On January 20, 2023, at age 96, Charline died peacefully at Merit Health River Region Hospital in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Her funeral service was held Monday, January 23, at First Baptist Church, after which she was laid to rest in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bill Simmons, Bobby Barton, Chris Carson, Jed James, Sam Zweig, Will Choate, Ben Choate, and Archer Choate, with Stricklin-King Funeral Home directing burial services.
Charline is survived by many friends and loved ones, including her nephew, Bernie Jordan, and his wife, Susan; great-nieces, Elise Jordan Choate, Ellen Jordan, Caroline Jordan James, and Anne Eliza Jordan, and their families; and first cousin, Peggy Killebrew Wakefield.
If you wish to honor Charline, please consider a memorial to First Baptist Church or B.S. Ricks Memorial Library, both in Yazoo City.
