Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 90, self-employed accountant and resident of Bear Creek Pike, died Friday, March 18, 2016 at Maury Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. at Saluda Memorial Park in Saluda, North Carolina. A memorial service will be conducted Friday at 5:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia. The family will visit with friends Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Condolence may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born August 17, 1925 in Charleston, South Carolina, he was the son of the late C.C. Pinckney and Gabriella Hamilton Pinckney. Mr. Pinckney was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. A descendant of founding fathers, he was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of South Carolina. He served in the United States Army during World War II. After the war ended, he earned a degree from Birmingham-Southern College. While he was a student, he and wife Ruth fell in love at first sight on the golf course at an introduction, contrived by her eldest brother, that interrupted his game but fulfilled the rest of his life. In 1970 he and Ruth started a tax return and bookkeeping business that still operates in Columbia. He worked in the business until the day before the onset of his illness, fully expecting to return the next day. His kindly and selfless nature was admired by his many friends and clients. He had a lifelong fascination with trains, weather, and the natural sciences. He was a student of history and enjoyed sports, both as a participant and as a fan. He was an avid reader and was skilled at solving crossword puzzles. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth McCullough Pinckney of Columbia; sons, Charles (Pam) Pinckney of Birmingham, AL; George (Mickie) Pinckney of Saluda, NC; Thomas Pinckney of Columbia; Joseph (Rita) Pinckney of Mt. Dora, FL; grandchildren, Charles Pinckney of Birmingham, AL; Hannah (Paul) Lawrence of Birmingham, AL; Sally Pinckney of Charlotte, NC; Elizabeth Pinckney of Saluda, NC; step-grandchildren Mellisa McHaffie of Palm Harbor, FL; Zac Puchlopek of Montverde, FL; Matere Alban of Mount Dora, FL; and four step-great-grandchildren. The family expresses deep appreciation to the nurses who cared for him at Maury Regional Medical Center for their compassion and dedication. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Elizabeth Caperton Fund for the benefit of the Maury County Public Library or to The Exceptional Foundation, Homewood, Alabama for the benefit of individuals with special needs. Active pallbearers will be family and friends.