Charles Stanton "Sonny" Fondren, 87 of Columbus, MS passed away, Sunday, March 19, 2017, at his son's residence surrounded by a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 22, 2017, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. Funeral service will be Thursday, March 23, 2017, 3:00 PM in Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jimmy Ray and Bro. Joe Fondren officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Sonny was born August 30, 1929, to the late Ethel and Marie Taylor Fondren in Morgan City, LeFlore County, MS. He later moved with his family to Sturgis, MS and on June 5, 1945, moved to New Hope, where he lived for 72 years. On November 25, 1949, he married Lynelle Thomas and together they had four children, Margaret, Deborah, Tommy, and Joe.  Sonny loved his family and the Lord. He was a member of McBee Baptist Church, Columbus, MS.  Sonny was a hard worker.  He started laying brick at the age of 16 and retired at the age of 80.  He loved his work and took much pride in it. Sonny was a member of the Bricklayers Union in Columbus, MS.  He was known for asking every lady he laid bricks for "Can I have a Cake?" Sonny loved playing practical jokes.  His past time was spent being on the river fishing for catfish, hunting or watching Friday night fights and football.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Fondren was preceded in death by his wife – Clara Lynelle Fondren; 3 brothers – James Fondren, Jake Duff Fondren, and Lawrence Fondren; 3 sisters – Louise McDonald, Ruth Easterling, and Ethel Marie Ware.

Mr. Fondren is survived by his daughters – Deborah (John) Hatmaker, Edmond, OK and Margaret (Kenney) Black, Niceville, FL; sons – Joe (Sharon) Fondren, Steens, MS and Tommy (Debbie) Fondren, Caledonia, MS; grandchildren – Laurie Doughty, David (Amber) Doughty, Bruce Fondren, Daniel Fondren, Courtney (Jeremy) Shaw, J.D. (Adrianne) Fondren and Elizabeth (Ben) Naghavi; great-grandchildren – Jacob Thomas Doughty, James Logan Doughty, Audrey Fondren, Shelby Fondren, Kaylie Fondren, mason Fondren, Tatum Shaw and Jackson Shaw; sisters – Mary Alice (Herbert) Ellis, Spanish Fort, AL, June (Vick) Lancaster, Columbus, MS and Peggy Nichols, Caledonia, MS.

Pallbearers will be Mr. Fondren's grandchildren.  Honorary pallbearers will be Legacy Hospice, Dr. John Stanback, Lamar Harris, Lauren Hutchins, Travis Price Family, TA Caldwell family, Clay Barham, Frank Zaiontz, Hudson Adams, Bobby Bowen, Jerry Henry, Doug Goodman, Dawson Johnson, and Tom Honey.