Charles J. Bly III, age 66 of Paducah, KY, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 17, 2023, 9:42 a.m. at Baptist Health of Paducah.

Charles, the son of Charles Bly, Jr. and Virgia Kendall Bly, was a 1974 graduate of South Tama High School in Tama, Iowa Later, he received certification in Auto Body from West Kentucky Vocational School. He retired as a truck driver from Martin Marietta Rock Quarry in Grainell, Iowa and served in the United States Army Reserves from 1983-1989.

Charles was a quiet, reserved man who loved music, especially rhythm and blues. Motown sounds, particularly those written and /or sung by Smokey Robinson were among his favorites. He enjoyed traveling and visiting friends and family. All of his family was important to him especially the time he spent raising his daughters, grandchildren, and his nephew.

Preceding him in death were his father, Charles Bly, Jr.; his maternal grandparents, Ted and Johnnie Kendall; his paternal grandparents, Charles Bly, Sr. and Dollie Lucille Bly; a mother-in-law, Rosa Lee Jackson and a father-in-law, Herbert Matchem; and a sister-in-law, Peggy Gary.

Leaving behind to cherish fond memories of him are his former wife of 21 years, who was faithfully his caregiver, Babretta Matchem Bly of Paducah; his mother, Virgia Kendall Bly; two sisters, Dollie (Eugene) Oleary and Yvette (Archie) Ledsinger all of Metropolis, IL; two brothers, Jerry (Deb) Bly of Marshall Town, IA, and Jeff Bly of Cedar Rapids, IA; two daughters, Akelia Thompson and Akury Thompson, both of Paducah, KY; three grandchildren, Akish Daniels, Ameri Thompson, and Khalel Lee, all of Paducah, KY; six sisters-in-law; Chen Matchem, Gilda Kolheim, Madonna (Arthur) Lee, Sheila Matchem, Mercedes (Thomas) Powers, Sr. and Lucinta (Clinton IV) Thompson all of Paducah; three brothers-in-law, Quinton Matchem  and Huey Gary both of Paducah and Demetrius (Lisa) Matchem of Nashville, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

There will be no services.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.