Charles T. Eblen

Age 82 of Lenoir City, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2008.  Charlie was born and raised on a farm in Loudon County.  He was a 1942 graduate of Lenoir City High School and entered Lincoln Memorial University.  Charlie interrupted his education in 1943, entering the Army to serve in World War II.  He served overseas 19 months with the 105th Infantry Division.  Returning to college in 1945, he received his law degree from Cumberland University in 1947.  Charlie was employed  by The State Department of Finance and Taxation in Knoxville in 1947.  During late 1951, he gave up that work to begin the practice of law in Lenoir City.  He was elected to the Tennessee State Legislature from the 8th District for the 55-56 term, serving Knox, Anderson, Loudon and Roane Counties.  He was elected to the Tennessee State Senate from Knox and Loudon County for the 59-60 term. He was elected Lenoir City Mayor December 1976 and served until April, 1987. He was elected again in April, 1989-April 1991. He was elected Mayor again in April 1993 and served until April, 2001. He is the longest serving Mayor in the history of Lenoir City. As Mayor he served as Chairman of Lenoir City Utilities Board and Lenoir City School Board.  He was a Civitan member for over fifty years.   Charlie was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and had served on the Administrative Board and the Board of Trustees.  He was a Director of Suntrust Bank and had served as Chairman of the Democratic Party.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lena Eblen; brother and sister-in-law, James and Grace Eblen; sister, Ruth Gaut.  Survived by his wife of 44 years, Bobby G. Eblen; daughters, Lee Ledbetter and husband, Mitch of Lenoir City, Abby Eblen Blahauvietz M.D. and husband, Rick of Franklin, TN; grandchildren, Charlie Ledbetter of Lenoir City, Benjamin and Hailey Blahauvietz of Franklin, TN; several nieces, nephews and a special friend, Jack Randolph. The family would like to express a word of gratitude to Connie Fisher and Dwight Anthony for the care they have given during Charlie's illness.   Funeral services will be held 6 p.m. Monday, January 7th at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Baker and Judge Eugene Eblen officiating.  The family will receive friends following the funeral service.  Family and friends will gather at the Click Funeral Home by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and proceed to Lakeview Cemetery for graveside services at 11 a.m.  Serving as pallbearers: Mitch Ledbetter, Charlie Ledbetter, Rick Blahauvietz, Jimmy Williams, Larry Trego, Buddy Kizer, David Martin and John R. Johnson.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Loudon County Bar Association.  Full military honors will be conferred by the Loudon County Veteran's Honor Guard.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, 300 West Second Ave, Lenoir City, TN 37771 or the Loudon County Humane Society, 250 Jamie Drive, Loudon, TN 37774.  Click Funeral Home, 109 Walnut Street, Lenoir City is serving the Eblen family.