Coach Charles Alex Rich
Funeral services for Coach Charles Alex Rich will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20 at French Camp Baptist Church in French Camp, with burial in French Camp Cemetery. Committal services will be held at French Camp Baptist Church immediately following the funeral service. Rev. Randy Bridges and Rev. Alex Lawson will officiate the services, with Stewart Edwards and Rusty McKnight sharing some thoughts and remarks of Coach's impact at French Camp Academy. Pallbearers will be the deacon body of French Camp Baptist Church: Robert Peacock, Scott Barlow, Travis Grice, Shane Campbell, Skeet Jennings, Jeff Ward, and Glen Sheedy. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Wade, Larry Mincher, Coach John Robert Cockrell, Bruce Hosket, Rusty McKnight, Larry Littlejohn, Jim Hill, and Glen Barlow.
Visitation will be Wednesday, November 20 from 12:00 p.m. until service time at the church.
Coach Rich, 89, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Choctaw Nursing and Rehab Center in Ackerman. He was born in Philadelphia, MS on January 22, 1935, to Arthur Alex and Hettie Mae Nowell Rich. He was a 1953 graduate of Philadelphia High School, before attending Mississippi College and graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in History in 1957. This same year he married the love of his life, Rose Thornton Rich, and began his career of teaching and coaching at Nanih Waiya Attendance Center, where he started the football program. He would later attend Mississippi State University and receive his Master's Degree in History and Counselor Education in 1967. In 1959 Coach and Rose were called to the mission of French Camp Academy. He served the school in many areas over his tenure including dorm parents of Taylor Dorm; history teacher; and football, basketball, baseball, and tennis coach. After 54 years of service to FCA, Coach Rich retired in 2016. He spent these years pouring and investing in the lives of generations of students, making history come alive. He enjoyed history, reading, golf, tennis, and crossword puzzles. He was also a co-author of "A Treasure on the Trace" with Melinda Buford Livingston in 1996. He was faithful and devoted member of French Camp Baptist Church.
He is survived by his brother, Max Rich (Wanda); nieces, Lisa Brown, Loni Walters (Allen), and Lucy Rice (Bill); host of great nieces and nephews; and cousins, Jimmy Rae and Kenny Rae. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Thornton Rich; son, Tim Rich; and nephew, Samuel Scott Rich.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745 or to French Camp Baptist Church, 4155 Hwy 413, French Camp, MS 39745.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.ofhwinona.com.