Charles Sloan Delk Sr.

Charles Sloan Delk Sr., 87, a Maury County native, longtime resident of Blue Ridge Road, and retired engineer with L&N Railroad/CSX Transportation, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Polk Memorial Mausoleum with Rusty Colvett officiating.

Born April 23, 1939, in Maury County, Charles was the son of the late John Gill Delk and Ruth Hoover Delk. On July 27, 1959, he married the love of his life, Larissa Whitwell Delk, and together they shared nearly 67 years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, and love.

Charles devoted more than thirty years of service to L&N Railroad, later CSX Transportation, where he worked as an engineer. He took great pride in his career and was respected for his dedication, dependability, and strong work ethic.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Charles enjoyed following all sports, but his greatest joy was watching his grandchildren participate in whatever sport they loved. Whether from the bleachers or the sidelines, he was their biggest fan. Above all, Charles was a devoted family man whose love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was evident in every aspect of his life.

Charles was also a man of deep Christian faith. He was an active member of Highland Church of Christ for many years and later faithfully attended Beech Hill Church of Christ. His love for God guided the way he lived, served, and cared for others.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Larissa Whitwell Delk of Columbia; daughter, Cindy (Jim) Butler of Gallatin; son, Sloan (Belinda) Delk Jr. of Columbia; grandchildren, Jeremy (Janie) Delk of Mt. Pleasant, Chelsea (Brett) Woodward of Lawrenceburg, Orrin (Ryleigh) Delk of Columbia, Colby (Hannah) Delk of Columbia, Kristen (Adam) Brothers of Murfreesboro, Logan Wilburn of Boulder, Colorado, and Ethan (Lindsay) Wilburn of Shelbyville; ten great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Mable Delk of Columbia.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, John A. Delk and Joe Delk; his sister, Mary E. Hill; his grandson, Kameron Delk; and his great-grandson, Haden Delk.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Nena and the entire staff of Compassus Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness shown to Charles during his final days.

Memorials may be made to the Maury County Animal Shelter, 1233 Mapleash Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401, or to Beech Hill Church of Christ, 1783 Highway 166 North, Mount Pleasant, TN 38474.