Charlie William Priest

Charlie William Priest, Jr. passed peacefully on June 7, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on leap day, February 29, 1964, in Decatur, Alabama, to the Odra and Charlie Priest, Sr.

He grew up in Mouton, Alabama, and graduated from Lawrence County High School in 1982. Immediately upon graduation, he enrolled in the United States Marine Corps in which he served for one year.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama Birmingham in 1987. Among other activities, he was a member of the varsity rifle team. While attending UAB, he was named outstanding student and received the Dean's Award. In 1986, he was voted Mr. UAB.

He attended law school at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1990. He was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Georgia. Upon graduation from law school, he entered the Army JAG Corp and was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He served from 1990 to 1997, reaching the rank of Major. He was again called to active duty in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, and served another year in the JAG Corp at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

He was a gifted trial attorney, practicing law for 30 years. After leaving military service, he practiced law with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Cleveland, Ohio, until 2004. He and his family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2004 where he practiced law with the Internal Revenue Service until his retirement in 2018.

He married Heather Joys in 1994 and they had two children, Amelia and Charles Priest.

He was an avid golfer, UAB basketball fan, and a die-hard Cleveland Browns supporter. He is best remembered for his outgoing personality, sense of humor, and boisterous laugh.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Heather, and children, Amelia and Charles, his brother Dr. Marlon Priest (Leta Herring), nieces Candice, Whitney, and India Priest, and many loving cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Victor Priest, and niece Bianca Priest.

Visitation will be held at AS Turner and Son's on Monday June 12, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

The family requests gifts in Charlie's memory be given to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at https://www.ccalliance.org/patient-family-support/online-community or the UAB Student Scholarships at https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1881/giving19/interior.aspx?sid=1881&gid=3&pgid=481&cid=1223.