Charles “Benny” Holbrooks, 89, passed away on April 16, 2022. Benny was born on December 21,1932 in Cedartown, GA. He was the son of the late Clifford H. and Mautille Broadaway Holbrooks.
Benny grew up in Cedartown, but left home as a young man traveling and singing in a Southern Gospel quartet.
He later took a job with Friedman’s Jewelers in Macon, GA, where he was promoted and given the opportunity to move to Florence, SC, as general manager. He met Judy Hatchell, telling her on their first date that he would marry her and he did.
In 1968, they opened Holbrooks Jewelers in downtown Florence. Over the years Holbrooks Jewelers grew to multiple locations, eventually becoming Holbrooks Diamond Showroom.
He was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church serving in multiple positions through the years. He loved music, especially Southern Gospel. Benny was an avid reader and gifted hundreds of bibles and Christian books to friends, family, and even strangers. His greatest love was his family. That love grew exponentially when he became a grandfather. His four grandchildren speak of the influence he had on their lives and they loved spending time with “Benny”. A generation later, his seven great-grand children feel the same.
Surviving is his wife of 59 years, Judy, daughter, Paige Holbrooks, and son Charles Benny “Chip” Holbrooks, Jr., and wife, Roxane; grandchildren, Rachel (Bishop) Sawyer, Devon Grier (Brian Shirley), Alyssa Holbrooks, and Charles Benny “Chase” Holbrooks III (Rebecca); great-grandchildren, Brayden, Benton, Blakely, Ella, Bristol, Hudson, and Elaina. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings, Avanell Duke, Kathryn Williams, Clifford “Boe” Holbrooks, and Billy Holbrooks.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 20, 10:00 am at Immanuel Baptist Church with service to follow at 11:00 am. There will be a private burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 306 West Cherokee Road, Florence, SC 29501.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home makes this announcement for the Holbrooks Family.
