Roll Call Tribute

Charles Middleton Fitts, Jr. 

December 18, 1924 - June 2, 2024 

Charles Middleton Fitts, Jr., died on June 2, 2024. He was born December 18, 1924, in Tuscaloosa, AL. The Family moved to Elrod, AL in 1929, and to Electric Mills, MS in 1932. These were the Depression years, and his father was transferred from a smaller lumber mill to a larger one, and the family moved from Electric Mills to Meridian MS, in 1936.

Mr. Fitts turned 18 in December of 1942, and was drafted February of 1943, but as a graduating senior was deferred until after graduation. After graduating on June 1, 1943, he was sworn into the Army on June 9, 1943 and reported to Fort McClellan, AL, on July 16, 1943, to start Infantry Replacement Basic Training, which was 13 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, he was told he was not going to a replacement center, but being transferred to ASTP - Army Specialized Training Program. He started Civil Engineering classes at Texas A&M in early Oct.

The ASTP was closed in March, 1944, and he was assigned to the 12th Armored Div. and to the 60MM Mortar Squad, 2nd Platoon, “C” Co., 66th Armd. Inf. Bn. His first combat action was in early December 1944 and he was later captured January 16, 1945, at the Steinwald Forest Battle of Herrlisheim. He was a POW until April 14, 1945, when freed by the British.

After the war, he graduated from The University of Alabama in March 1949, and started working with the only employer he ever had - F. W. Williams State Agency - managing general agents for the state of MS for United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. Baltimore, MD. He started as an underwriter trainee and was President of the corporation for five years before retiring.

While in college, he met and married Jane Keller Watts from Huntsville, AL. They were blessed with four daughters Harriet Fitts, Kathy Fitts Howard (Bill), Susan Fitts Davis and Martha Fitts Welborn (Jeffrey). They have eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Jane died December 26, 2001. God had greatly blessed his life in so many ways.