Charles Gafford West

Charles G. West, 78, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025. Funeral services for Charles will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 1st, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Brother Stae Sanders officiating. Interment will follow in Luverne Emmaus Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 to 11 AM.

Charles was a proud member of the Luverne High School's Class of 1965 as well as Troy State University, where he earned his bachelor's in Criminal Justice. Charles's life was all about service whether it was to his community, his state, or his country. He started in the Vietnam Conflict as a corporal with the United States Marine Corps. He wasn't afraid to shed his blood for his country (with a Purple Heart to show for it) as he was part of the Tet Offensive and the Battle of Hue, and he was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic service in combat. After his honorable discharge, he next spent 25 years with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation's Narcotics Department. Finally, in retirement, Charles just couldn't sit back on his laurels when there was work that needed to be done so he ran for sheriff of Crenshaw County in 1998. He would go on to be the first sheriff to be elected to and serve four complete terms.

Charles was the kind of sheriff every county should hope to have. Why? Because he was firmly committed to the kind of blind justice system that is the ideal took often unmet. There was no denying that Sheriff West was as fair-minded as they come and not one to ever abuse his power and authority over others. One of his proudest improvements, amongst many, during his tenure as sheriff was instituting a work release program for the prisoners so that they could start on the road to rehabilitation and build a life for themselves beyond their bars. The fact that several of those inmates used the money they made in the program to buy Charles a very nice toolbox for Christmas is best evidence needed to know the huge difference he made in the lives of others.

While he loved serving his community more than anything, it was on a tractor where Charles felt truly at home. He loved to spend his days "farming" these last few years, and wherever he went it was no surprise to see his faithful canine companion, Little Bit, right by his side....even on trips to the courthouse! Few more appreciated the peace and quiet of this well-deserved final retirement as he did. It suited him as he had always been a bit more quiet and reserved, a good match to the social butterfly who was the love of his life, his wife Paulette. Be forewarned however, quiet didn't mean Charles didn't have strong opinions...it just means he only shared them with a few people rather than the town cryer. And don't ask him for that opinion if you weren't prepared for the full and unmitigated truth! Don't let that gruff exterior fool you though because, deep down, he had a sentimental and compassionate streak. Word has it he may have even been his younger daughter's guinea pig when she played "beauty parlor" as a child. But, that's who Charles was: devoted husband, father, and grandfather who would do literally anything to make them happy. It's no wonder that the loss of a man like this feels like an even bigger loss for all the lives he touched throughout his community over the years. Men like Charles don't come around too often but, when they do, their legacy will continue to loom large over many more years to come.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Gafford & Margaret Finlay West, and siblings, John Finlay West, Sara W. Ballard, and David H. West. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Paulette Owens West; their children, Randall (Jane) West, Renee (Dustin) Marchand, and Rebecca (Thomas) McGough; grandchildren, Charlee West, Raegan (Alex) Saucedo, Amberly (Joseph) Gray, Kenny West, Riley Marchand, Lily Marchand, and Finley Marchand; Weston McGough, and Owen McGough; sisters-in-law, Mary West and Suzette West; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Randall West, Dustin Marchand, Thomas McGough, Mason Adcock, Lee Simmons, Brock Flynn, Robin Ballard, and John David West. Honorary pallbearers will be his "Barn Buddies," the Taters Crew, and his former deputies.