Charles Branch Phelps, 86, of Surry, VA passed away December 31, 2009. He was born in Chesterfield County the son of the late Zeb Bryant and Mary Francis Firth Phelps. He was raised in Richmond and New Kent County. In 1954 he moved to Surry County and opened P & E Motors with his brother-in-law, Dick Edwards.

Charles worked in many areas of the Peninsula as a body shop manager such as Buford Buick in Hampton, Nick Allen Buick in Newport News and then coming back to the Smithfield area – US 258 Parts and Body Shop. He opened Charlie's Body Shop in 1978 which is now owned by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Johnny Livesay until retirement in February 2000.

Charles was very active in the Backwood Bass in Smithfield and Peninsula Bass fishing clubs. He was also an avid hunter and was a member of the Surry and Beechland Hunt Club. Charles served as a past member of the Surry Volunteer Fire Department.

Charles leaves behind a wife, three daughters, four grandsons, and 3 great grandsons.

Services will be private at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Friends may join the family other times at the residence. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Surry Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. Box 260, Surry, VA 23883 or the Surry Volunteer Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 188, Surry, VA 23883. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.