Charles Womack

Charles A. "Zan" Womack Jr. of Maple Lane in Danville died Aug. 4, 2014, following a brief illness. Womack, 71,owned the Star-Tribune in Chatham and Caswell Messenger in Yanceyville, N.C., and 13 other weekly newspapers in Virginia and North Carolina. As chairman of Womack Publishing Company Inc., he will be remembered as a true newspaperman who dedicated his life to small-town, community newspapers. He loved newspapers, especially small-town newspapers, and always believed that a newspaper is the heart and soul of a community. His advice to reporters and editors was to get more faces and names in the paper because he said that's what readers want. He once told an editor, "We're all local, all the time," and cared deeply about serving the readers of his newspapers with the latest news and advertising information from their communities. Born on Dec. 28, 1942, Womack was the oldest of five children. He grew up in Danville and graduated from George Washington High School in 1961. At GW, he was co-captain of the golf team that won the state championship. Womack graduated from Virginia Polytechnic and State University in 1967 with a degree in history and political science and joined the family community newspaper company started by his late father, Charles Womack Sr. Womack Publishing Company began in 1960 with the purchase of the Danville Commercial Appeal, and added the Caswell Messenger in 1966 and Star-Tribune in 1969. Womack Publishing also launched the Bull Mountain Bugle in Stuart and purchased the Clarksville Times. It started the Gretna Gazette in 1974. Womack worked at the Commercial Appeal before purchasing the company in 1975. The Clarksville Times, Bull Mountain Bugle, and Commercial Appeal were sold, but Womack Publishing continued to expand with the purchase of additional community weeklies and the successful start of newspapers at Smith Mountain Lake and Lake Norman near Charlotte, N.C. In addition to the Star-Tribune, Womack owns the Altavista Journal, Times-Virginian in Appomattox, The Union-Star in Brookneal, Smith Mountain Eagle, South Hill Enterprise, Independent Messenger in Emporia, Brunswick Times-Gazette in Lawrenceville, and The News Progress in Chase City. North Carolina papers include the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer in Littleton, Mebane Enterprise, Caswell Messenger in Yanceyville, News of Orange in Hillsborough, Montgomery Herald in Troy, and Warren Record in Warrenton. The company also publishes telephone directories, magazines, and visitors' guides, and has a printing operation in South Hill. Womack served one term on Danville City Council and is a former member of the German Club and Young Men's Club. He also was a member of the World Presidents' Organization and Chief Executive Officers' Organization. He served on the board of directors of the Virginia Press Association and is a longtime member of the National Press Club. He loved golf and was a member of Danville Golf Club and the Southern Seniors and International Seniors tours. Womack will also be remembered for his commitment to the Womack Foundation, a philanthropic organization started by his late parents, Charles and Estelle Womack. Over the years, the Womack Founda tion has supported a number of worthy causes, including parks and community centers, swimming lessons and sum mer camps for children from low-income neighborhoods, and scholarships for deserving students. Womack became more active in the foundation following his father's death in 2005, and served as vice chairman. When he wasn't working in his Chatham office or visiting newspapers, Womack enjoyed playing golf and traveling. He loved tomato sandwiches at ChathaMooCa and a hot dog at Pat's Place in Chatham. He is survived by his loving wife, Bobbye Raye, who is an integral part of Womack Publishing. The couple has two sons: Charles Womack III and wife, Gracie, of Greensboro, N.C., and Patrick Womack of Hillsborough, N.C. The Womacks also have four grandchildren: Charles A. "Alex" Womack IV and fiancée Morgan Mitchell; William Eric Womack; Andrew Scott Womack; and Caroline Womack. In addition, Womack is survived by two brothers: David Harris Womack and wife Sydney of Greenville, N.C.; and Ray Thomas Womack and wife, Debbie, of Burlington,N.C.; and two sisters: Robin Womack Giles and husband, James, of Greenville, S.C.; and Jill Womack Harris and husband, Hiter, of Richmond. His funeral will be held Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church on West Main Street in Danville. The family will receive friends at the residence. Memorials may be sent to Mount Vernon United Methodist Church at 107 West Main Street, Danville, Va. 24541 or Danville Life Saving and First Aid Crew Inc., 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, Va. 24541.