Charles Franklin Carnes, 72, of Rossville, passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2017 in a local healthcare facility.

Charles was born on December 29, 1944 to the late Reverend Elmer and Bessie Carnes. He was a native of the Rossville, Georgia are but had been a current resident of Trion, Georgia. Charles worked with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus for twenty years and was known as “Buzzy the Clown” and “Cotton the Clown.” He was of the Church of the Nazarene faith and enjoyed fishing, working jigsaw puzzles, making people laugh and spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ruth Walker, brother, Eddie Tuberfield and a step-daughter, Pam Carnes Chirsman.

Survivors include his daughters, Rose Marie (Harry) Mitchell, Chicago, IL and Audra (Steve) Krebs, Trion, GA, sisters, Shirley Hodge Mullins and Diane (Daniel) Parrish, sister-in-law, Joe Tuberfield, six grandchildren, Shawn, Brittany, Zachary and Joshua Mitchell, Jasmine Lewis and Diamond McCann, 4 great-grandchildren, Sutton, Raylen, Wyatt Lewis and Emily Webb, several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Tennessee Georgia Memorial Park at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com

Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, located at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.

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