Charles "Wennieman" Roberts

Charles “Wennieman” Roberts, age 87, of Chattanooga, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2026, at his home, surrounded by the people who loved him most—his family and friends.

Charles was born in Chattanooga on September 19, 1938, to William Roberts and Gussie Mae Williams Jones.

A Love Story Meant to Last

Charles met his future wife and the love of his life, Linda Poe Roberts, at a basketball game in 1981. Charles loved sports and proudly supported the basketball teams. After dating for five years, Charles asked Linda to marry him. They were united in marriage on August 18, 1986, and shared nearly 40 loving years together.

One of Linda’s friends described their marriage beautifully, saying that Charles and Linda’s relationship continued to feel like their first date—the same love and affection they shared from the day they met until his health began to fail.

Charles and Linda adored and loved one another and had a deep respect for each other. Charles once told Linda that he did not have experience being a husband or raising children. He told her that he would need her help and promised that he would take care of her. He kept his promise.

Linda often joked that Charles loved the children more than he loved her, but she said that only made her love and respect him even more.

“We were not perfect, but we were perfect for each other.”

And, with a touch of humor, Linda remembers saying, “I’m sorry for the people who lost their bet that he would never marry me.”

For those seeking a good mate, Linda shared the scripture at Ephesians 5:21, encouraging husbands and wives to show love and respect for one another respect and love.

The Many Names of Wennieman

Charles was affectionately known by many names throughout his life. His mother called him “Wennieboy” because of his love for pork and beans and wieners, one of his favorite meals. Another favorite was banana pudding.

When Charles asked Linda if she knew how to make banana pudding like his grandmother, she knew she had to pull out the Pet Milk and cook the pudding from scratch.

As Charles became an adult, his mother changed his name to Wennieman, the name so many came to know and love.

He was also known as Honey, Papa, Daddy, Uncle, Brother-in-Law, Wenniedog, and Mr. Miyagi, a special name given to him by his “son of another mother,” Ponnie Mastin.

Charles was also known for his distinctive style. His trademark was his hats. You could hardly ever see Charles without one of his stylish brimmed hats.

A Hardworking Entrepreneur and Family Man

Charles was a self-employed entrepreneur from the young age of 16. He managed B&W Snacks for many years and continued working until his health no longer allowed him to do so.

Above all, Charles was a proud family man. He loved and cherished his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, and friends.

Charles enjoyed traveling and created countless memories with Linda, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. He and Linda traveled the world together, sharing experiences and making memories that will remain with their family forever.

Charles also enjoyed teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to drive. He taught his oldest great-grandchildren, Collin and Braden Ragland, how to drive, and by the ages of 13 and 12, they had become his personal chauffeurs.

These are the kinds of memories that will continue to keep Charles alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, William Roberts, Gussie Mae Jones, sister Dorothy Jones. Devoted loving sons Gregory Walker, Esmond "Tank" Sparks Sr. daughter Tawana Hinton; Sisters -in- law’s; Shirley Lee, Sandra Kelley, brothers -in-law’s; Jimmy Poe, Larry Poe, Anthony Poe, nephews, Terrence Poe Sr, Tony Poe Jr. and Patrick Poe, devoted and faithful friends, John High Sr, Frank Newson, Frank Strickland, David Looney and Sherry Waites.

Charles is remembered and survived by his loving devoted wife of 39 years, Linda Poe Roberts; brothers Sam (Angela) Jones, Ulycius Jones, Earnest Jones, brothers of another mother, Ralph Smith, and Dr. William Phillips, all of Chattanooga, TN, sisters Ella Mae (Victor) Mapp; of Chattanooga, loving aunt Virginia Avery of Atlanta, Ga., Deborah Wortham Richardson of Decatur, Ga., Hollis Jacoway of Chattanooga, TN. God daughter, LaShawn Hawthorne of Chattanooga, TN, brother in -laws Tony Poe Sr. Of Gadsden, AL, Gregory Poe Chattanooga, TN. loving sons Tauris (Velma) Odum of Chattanooga, TN, Dedrick Roberts of Murfreesboro, TN, devoted and faithful son Ponnie (Monica) Mastin Sr of Chattanooga, TN ; loving and devoted daughter La’Dana Churchill of Oklahoma City, OK, Sherry (Tyrus) Smith, God daughters Dorothy Hawthorne of Chattanooga, TN, Yolanda Waites, Regina (Adrian) Williams of Georgia ; grandsons Jayson Sparks of Georgia, Esmond Sparks Jr, Chattanooga, TN, Charles Hinton of Charlotte, NC, Stephon Churchill, Angel Strickland of Chattanooga, TN, granddaughters Jhakeeta (Chris) Hudgins devoted granddaughter and caregiver Esmanda Sparks, Special Strickland, Treasure Strickland all of Chattanooga, BriYanna Churchill of Oklahoma City, OK, Amari Odum, Ava Odum, Aaliyah Odum, Christy James, Tynesha Smith all of Chattanooga, TN ; God granddaughter Sureatha (Sammy) Seamster devoted and loving devoted great grandchildren Collin and Braden Ragland, Bryson Parker-Sparks, Hunter, Harper, and Harlin Hudgins, Eric McReynolds, Treasure Jackson, Braylon McCauley, Bryson Harris, Khalil and Kassidy Bush all of Chattanooga, TN . Loving nephew Kenneth Moore, loving nieces Tinica Caperton, Adrian Poe Simmons, and Neonta Williams, and the Montgomery and Walkers families and countless numbers of Charles and Linda's friends that have shared our journey through out our marriage, as well as Linda's spiritual family of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

His Faith and Hope

Charles was not a religious man, but he knew and respected God’s name, Jehovah, as stated at Psalm 83:18.

He deeply respected and supported his wife in her faithful service to Jehovah. He supported her preaching work, attending conventions and assemblies, and he made sure he found her a Kingdom Hall in every state and country they visited, he also welcomed weekly field service meetings into their home.

Charles had a deep love and respect for Jehovah’s Witnesses and supported Linda throughout her spiritual journey.

Charles did not desire to go to heaven. Instead, he looked forward to the hope of a resurrection of life here on earth, living on a perfect paradise earth with his loved ones who have fallen asleep in death and will be resurrected to perfect health. According to John 5:28, 29

Open services will be held from 2:00PM until 6:00PM on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Companion Funeral Home - Chattanooga located at 6018 John Douglass Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421.