Charles Wilburn Underwood

Charles "Charlie" Wilburn Underwood, devoted husband of Camilla "Cam" Knotts Underwood, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

Born on August 22, 1940, in Sewanee, TN, he was the son of the late Charles Walton and Mary Jackson Underwood.

Charlie's academic pursuits also began at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science. He later received his Juris Doctorate at The University of South Carolina.

Charlie held a profound love for his family, community, and country. His naturally inquisitive spirit compelled him to frequently ask, “Why?” and “How can I help?” Between college graduation and law school, he volunteered for Floyd Spence’s inaugural congressional campaign. This experience significantly influenced his life when the lovely Cam Knotts, a volunteer for the Orangeburg Republican election campaign entered the scene, requesting bumper stickers for Orangeburg County. Despite being smitten immediately, Charlie moved at his own pace, and after just three dates – over a span of three years – they became engaged. After a lifetime of amazing experiences and devotion, he and Cam celebrated 60 years of marriage this past August. THEY were the original Charles and Camilla!

Charlie’s career began in politics as staff assistant to Sen. Strom Thurmond, then taking on the role of director of organization for the South Carolina Republican Party and as chairman of the S.C. Young Republican Federation. Although he once claimed he would never live in Orangeburg or work in banking, in 1967 Charlie and Cam relocated to Orangeburg, where they continued to live for over 50 years, and took a position as assistant vice president and marketing director for the Bank of Orangeburg. His passion to serve his community continued in Orangeburg where he volunteered for many civic activities including President of the Boys Club, Chairman of the United Way, Publicity Director of the Orangeburg Tricentennial and a founding member of the Orangeburg Rose Society.

Charlie and Cam, looking for a new challenge, decided they should make the leap into small business, and subsequently acquired Travel Center, Inc. in Orangeburg, a business they would run successfully for 35 years. Charlie also held the position of President for multiple travel agent organizations, including the Travel Agents of the Carolinas twice, and played a pivotal role in founding Save On Travel. During this time, they would develop friendships and partnerships that would last a lifetime, while embarking on a seemingly endless series of global adventures.

He was also a dedicated member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Orangeburg, where he shared his time and knowledge as a vestry member and taught Sunday School classes, including confirmation classes.

When he wasn't working, Charlie was an avid gardener, spending time nurturing his beautiful rose garden in Orangeburg as well as a plethora of gorgeous flowers and vegetables. You could always count on Charlie’s pantry to be stocked with the freshest and most delicious assortment of seasonal vegetables, herbs and spices!

He never met a stranger and enjoyed friends from all over the world he’d met on his travelling adventures, as well as like-minded baseball and football fans met at countless Braves games and Clemson games over the years. Yes, he did pull for Clemson after his daughter graduated from Clemson.

Above all else he loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cherished every moment spent with his family.

In addition to his beloved wife Cam, he is survived by his daughter Charlotte Cobb (Stephen) of Seneca, SC; his grandchildren Cassandra Cobb of Sydney, Australia and Sam Cobb of Seoul, Korea; his sisters Judith Davis of Columbia, SC, and Mary Jane Donovan of Elgin, SC; nieces and nephews, Jon (Jennifer) Davis, Eddie (Sharon) Donovan, Kelley (Charlie) Donovan, and Patrick (Caity) Donovan; and great nieces and nephews, Anna and Jack Davis, Charlie and Henry Gwynne and Quinn and William Donovan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Walton and Mary Jackson Underwood, brother-in-law, David Donovan, and nephew Michael Davis Jr.

A memorial service in honor of Charlie will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 193 Old Greenville Highway, Clemson, SC 29631.

The family would like to thank the medical and healthcare workers at Clemson Prisma Internal Medicine, Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital, Lila Doyle Acute Rehab, Seneca Dialysis Center, and Cottingham Hospice House for their care and love for Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prisma Health Upstate Foundation or Cottingham Hospice House by visiting PrismaHealthUpstateFoundation.org/Memorials or mail a check with the memorial name to: Prisma Health-Upstate Foundation, 300 E. McBee Ave., Ste 401, Greenville, SC 29601