Charles Herman Varnado passed away at the VA Hospital in Biloxi, Miss., on Sunday, September 2, 2007, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in New Orleans on August 9, 1927. He was married to Dionysia Mumford Varnado for forty years until her death in 1989. They had four children, Charles Ellis Varnado, who passed away in 1991, Pamela V. Frank of Metairie, La., Nancy V. Cole of Marietta, Ga. and Tammy V. Weller of Carriere.

In 1991 he married Helen Strickland Varnado of Picayune, where they have lived for sixteen years. He had two step-children, Nancy S. Lonadier and Brian Strickland of Picayune. He was a loving grandfather to twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie Ellis Varnado and Allie McMillan; brother, LeRoy Varnado and sisters, Marleen Varnado and Willie Mae Matherne of Kentwood, La.

He proudly served with the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II. He worked for Warner Bros. pictures for twenty-seven years as a salesman in New Orleans and Branch Manager in Boston, Mass. In 1972, he returned to New Orleans where he formed IFI Films.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Christian Life Assembly of God, 1015 Hwy. 43 N, Picayune, MS 39466 (I 59 Exit 6). In lieu of flowers, donations to the Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Fund, 10045 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, CA 91602 are appreciated.

Arrangements are under the direction of Picayune Funeral Home.