Charlie Mann

September 12, 1937 - September 1, 2017

Charlie Mann was born September 12, 1937 and passed away at his home in Santa Fe, TN on September 1, 2017. He was a native of Nashville and attended George Peabody Demonstration School (University School of Nashville). He graduated with a business degree from The University of Tennessee and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.

Preceded in death by his aunt and uncle, who raised him, Calma Dee and Wilson Leegan. He is survived by his wife Debra Neese Mann, son Anderson Mann (Diane) of Clarksville, daughter Elizabeth Easterly (Billy) of Nashville, son Josh Hill (Emily) of Dickson, daughters Mary Cramer McGaughey and Katie Cramer, sister Sara Shelton Mann of San Francisco, CA., half-sister Sue Mann Mathews, and half-brother Sam Mann. Charlie leaves five grandchildren, George Easterly, Andrea Mann, Jack Easterly, Thomas Mann, and Emerson Hill, special cousin Carole Francis and her family, loyal family of dogs Juno, Buddy, Red, Charlena, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Upon graduating from The University of Tennessee, Charlie began his medical sales career with V. Mueller, where for nine years he was the number one sales person. In August of 1976, Charlie formed Specialty Surgical Instrumentation (SSI). Charlie also invested in numerous other medical related companies. Governor Ned Ray McWherter appointed him to the Tennessee Certificate of Need (CON) Board for 14 years, as Vice Chairman for 13 of those years. He was a member of Vanderbilt’s Canby Robinson Society, serving on the Board of Trustees for six years, as well as, various boards at St. Thomas Hospital. He was appointed Vice Chairman of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, and a life-long supporter of the University of Tennessee. He was a former Captain in the Maury County Sheriff’s Department, Trustee of the Southeastern Law Enforcement Board, and a former chairman of the Williamson Co. Law Enforcement Foundation. He was a member of the Columbia Kiwanis Club, Richland Country Club, and Franklin City Club.

After divesting SSI, always the entrepreneur, Charlie focused his talents to Maury County as well as investing in various start-up companies even venturing into the restaurant business with Debra opening the Square Market Café in downtown Columbia in 2003. After moving to their farm in Santa Fe, Charlie and Debra enjoyed spending time with their many dogs, dear friends and family.

Through Charlie’s life, he touched and inspired countless people through his support, advice, and generosity.

Charlie’s family is most grateful to dear friends for their love and support, Dr. Sean Ryan, Dr. Lucy Ledbetter, Dr. Jim Baker, Dr. James Muldowney, also Hospice Compassus, Quality First Care Giving, and Sheriff Enoch George and Mickey Wormsley who stood by him until the end.

Visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia on Tuesday, September 5th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 6th at 3:00 pm. A private burial will follow the service.

Pallbearers will be members of Charlie’s SSI Sales Force: Andy Moore, Keith Sweeney, Ryan Pewitt, Aaron Priest, Quent Byerly, Sr., Les McClimans, Mac Orr, Andy Maggard, and Jason Campbell.  Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Schrader, Curt Lewis, Richard Fisher, Mickey Wormsley, David White, Carl Johnson, Ken Donahey, Vic Campbell, Parker Sherrill, Stuart McWhorter, Arlis Greene, Enoch George, Paul Flewallen, Steve Flewallen, Adam Flewallen, Sam Bobbitt, Joe Carter, William “Tinker” Kelly, Mark Dummond, Ed Jones, Dale Neese, Scott Farrar, Ashley Brown, Dr. Clyde Heflin, Lee Crowe, Lloyd Emmons, Tracy McIverson, Tony Harris, George Garrett, Steve Porter, Larry McTavish, Jimmy Naifeh, Ali Farhangi, Gary Sasser, Mike Georgulis, Gary Ledbetter, Mike Dobbins, Mike Diaz, Jim Evans, Mike Grannan, Netta Collins, Denny King, Bill Wall, Gary Ferguson, Buddy Francis, James Walker, Charlie Martin, Chris Black, Jack Bovender, Lew Conner, Thomas Frist, Jr., Aubrey Harwell, Gordon Inman, Rudy Ruark, Bill Cook, Greg Hostettler, John Haley, Aubrey Preston, Barbara Briley, Judy Burchett, Nancy Quigley, Gerald Atkinson, David Wray, Mike Bottoms, Jim Matthews, Dr. Ken Moore, Dr. John Brown, Judge Russ Parks, Judge Kip Gayden, Judge Buzz Lovell, Judge Tim T. Hamilton, Judge Bob Jones, Judge Stella Hargrove, Judge Bobby Sands, Judge Lee Bailey, Hale Hooper, and Wayman Hickman.

A special thank you to all former SSI employees.

In lieu of flowers , please make donations to The Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center , c / o VUMC Gift & Donor Services , 2525 West End Ave ., Suite 450, Nashville , TN 37203-1761, or Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 210830, Nashville, TN 37221.