Charles Agnew

Charles Augustus Agnew, 94, of Greenwood, widower of Mary Catherine Conwell Agnew, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026 at McCormick Post Acute. Born on October 21, 1931in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Newton Cowan Agnew and Vera Bell Major Agnew. Charles was a proud United States Army veteran, carrying the values of discipline and service throughout his life. These traits served hum well during his 20 year career in maintenance at Lander University, where he was a fixture on campus, known for his ability to fix just about anything. His hands were rarely still. On the side he enjoyed carpentry and remodeling furniture, skills that allowed him to share his passion and creativity with friends and family alike. To step into Charles's home was to enter a different world. He turned the entire upstairs of his residence into a sprawling marvel of model trains. His collection wasn't just a hobby; it was a masterpiece of engineering and art. From locomotives winding through meticulously crafted mountains to small-scale passengers waiting at quiet depots, his setup was so impressive it caught the attention of both Lander University and The Index-Journal, who featured his work in dedicated articles. While the praises were nice, Charles's true joy was sharing the magic. He never missed an opportunity to take children upstairs to "work the rails." He loved watching their eyes light up as they navigated the trains through tunnels and across his hand-built landscapes. A man who truly "never met a stranger," Charles was a conversationalist at heart. He could strike up a meaningful chat with anyone, anywhere. His faith was his foundation, and he was a devoted member of First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where he found great community and brotherhood in the Men's Senior Sunday School class. Charles is survived by his children, Cathy Whitley and Michael Agnew (Patricia); grandchildren, Charles Augustus Agnew, II, Stacey Agnew, Ricky Whitley, Rodney Whitley, Dana Barfield (Kenneth); great grandchildren, Mallory, Samuel, Ren, and Anna; and great great grandchildren, Banks, Briar, and Eliza. In addition to his wife, Mary Catherine and parents, Vera and Newton, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Thelma Luckey and Susie Dobbs and brothers, George Agnew and James Agnew. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church with the Rev. George Atkins and Rev. Ricky Whitley officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tommy Taylor, Doug Neil, Rodney Whitley, Kenneth Barfield, Charles Agnew, and Wesley Whitt. The family will receive friends before the service from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 1266, Greenwood, SC 29648 or by visiting www.firstmtmoriah.org.

Charles Agnew

October 21, 1931 - January 17, 2026

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