Charles E. “Chid” Lofton, 79, was called to be with his Lord andSavior on the morning of Oct. 31, 2007, one day shy of his 80thbirthday.

Services will be Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, at 11 a.m. at FirstBaptist Church in Brookhaven with burial in Rosehill Cemetery inBrookhaven. Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, from 5 until7 p.m. at Brookhaven Funeral Home on Natchez Drive in Brookhavenand on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, one hour preceding the service atFirst Baptist Church. Brookhaven Funeral Home is handling thearrangements.

Chid was born in Brookhaven on Nov. 1, 1927, to William Duncanand Bertha Lofton and has continued to reside in Brookhaventhroughout his life. He graduated from Brookhaven High School in1945. Chid earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business fromMississippi College in 1950. He returned home to Brookhaven withhis wife June East Lofton to be a part of the family business,Lofton’s Department Store. Right away, Chid began to get involvedin community activities in the Brookhaven and Lincoln County areas- a practice that has lasted his entire life. Service to one’scountry and community was important to him. He was a veteran ofWorld War II, a member of the Brookhaven Exchange Club and a memberof the Brookhaven Kiwanis Club, where he served as president. Hehas served as chairman of the Retail Merchants’ Committee as wellas chairman of the Lincoln County Red Cross.

Service to his church has always been an important part of hislife. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Brookhaven, wherehe has served in numerous positions of responsibility within thechurch including; Director of Sunday School, Chairman of theBuilding Fund for the new auditorium and Family Life Center,Chairman of the Long Range planning committee, Chairman of thePersonnel Committee, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, two-timeChairman of the Pastor’s Search Committee, choir member, and Sundayschool teacher.

Additionally, he served all Mississippi Baptists as a trusteefor the Mississippi Baptist Foundation and as Chairman of theExecutive Committee of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. He alsoserved as an area Chair for the Mississippi Baptist MissionCampaign.

A long time supporter of Mississippi College, Chid served aschairman of the annual fund, received the Order of the Golden Arrowaward, was named “Alumnus of the Year” for 1997, and was honored toserve on the Board of Trustees for two consecutive terms from2001-2006.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, June East Lofton;daughters, Linda Ballard; Beth Case and her husband Tony; son, DonLofton and his wife Madelyn; daughter, Laurie Davidson and herhusband Stacy; 10 grandchildren, Chad Case and his wife Tiffany,Brooke Ballard Meeks and her husband Ilar Paul, Kelly Case Robinsonand her husband Brett, Brantley Davidson, Davis Lofton, Jay Lofton,Samuel Davidson, Caroline Davidson, Andrew Davidson and ElizabethLofton and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William Duncan andBertha Lofton; and brothers, W.D. Lofton, Carol Lofton and HarolLofton.

Whether in service or stewardship, Chid Lofton has always been asolid leader – thinking not of himself, but the success of theproject and its greater impact on the Kingdom. This dedication andlove has endeared him to all who have known him.