Rev. Charles L. Oaks

Rev. Charles L. Oaks, 80, of South Pittsburg, TN, passed away September 19, 2020. He was born May 11, 1940, in Chattanooga. He was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church for 18 years, and he graduated from Central High School in 1958. He later joined the Fourth Avenue Church of God in 1960, and served in numerous positions-pianist, youth work, S.S. teacher, and choir director.

Rev. Oaks served as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy from 1961-1962. He then returned to Fourth Avenue and served until he went into pastoral ministry.

Rev. Oaks received a call from God when he was 15 years of age for the ministry. He started preaching when he was 20 years old and did evangelistic work for approximately 6 years. He then entered into pastoral work and pastored for 54 years. He served as pastor starting at Lewisburg, Manchester, Jellico, Pulaski, Humboldt, South Pittsburg, Cookeville, Newport, and Orme Mountain. He served the Church of God as District Pastor over Pulaski, Humboldt, South Pittsburg, Cookeville, and Newport Districts.

Rev. Oaks received his exhorter’s license in 1966. He was ordained on July 18, 1972. He received his ordained bishop license on July 29, 2000. He served on the State Evangelism and Home Mission’s Board, and State Music Board. He also served on the examining board for exhorter, licensing, and ordained ministers.

In almost every church he pastored, there was growth numerically and financially. He had a way of getting people to give-not for him, but for the work of God. He was able to purchase property in Manchester, Jellico, Pulaski, South Pittsburg, Cookeville, and Newport. He made sure the church was debt free when he left to go somewhere else.

Rev. Oaks retired from pastoring in December 2006. However, in August 2007, he went to the Orme Mountain Church as interim pastor. While he was there. Something great happened. He did something there that he had never done before-he was able to build a new sanctuary, and when the building was complete-it was debt free. There was a small number of people that attended the church, but God did a miracle for them and gave them a brand new building-debt free. It was a miracle on the mountain.

Rev. Oaks had a heart for the ministry. He was a mentor to numerous young men in the ministry. He was a supporter for missions, and he led the churches he pastored to support the work of God in many countries. He never went to a foreign country on a mission trip, because he felt his money would be better spent if he sent his money to them rather than spending the money for his trip.

Rev. Oaks was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Mable (Hiatt) Oaks; his loving wife, Glenda Roberts; 6 brothers, Robert, Dee, Virgil, Albert, Fred, and Homer; 4 sisters, Anise Daniel, Ada Proctor, Dorothy Queen, and Charlotte Skillington.

He is survived by 2 sons, Chris (Tracy), Greg (Heather); daughter, Lea Ann (Rodger) Whitehead; one sister, Mary Jo (John) Bain; 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and a host of friends throughout the State of Tennessee.

Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at Spring Creek Church of God, 1005 Spring Creek Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412 with Rev David Swanner and Rev. Doug Graham officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery where military honors will be performed by the U.S. Navy.

Per the current health situation and the mandate of the Hamilton County Mayor, visitors must adhere to all CDC guidelines, including social distancing and the wearing of facial coverings for visitation and services.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International (www.gideons.org).

The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454

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