Friends remember Renewed Hope graduate who died as local jail inmate
Murphy – His friends would like you to know that Charles “Chuck” Jeffries, who died on Jan. 15 after falling ill while in the custody of the Cherokee County Detention Center, was more than just another sad story.
“He was such a gift, a hidden treasure,” Mary Mikels of Raleigh said of Jeffries, who she met in 2019. “If you took the time to know him, to become a friend, you would be affected by him. He was one of most dearest people – funny, spunky and animated – yet so precious, tender and funny.”
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She hopes to sing a song – “Count On Me” by Whitney Houston – during a memorial service in Jeffries’ honor planned for 6 p.m. Saturday at Renewed Hope Ministries, 150 Penny Lane in Peachtree. That address is where Jeffries had his voter registration, as he had graduated from the year-long Christian residential drug treatment facility and lived on campus until his arrest on a trespass charge.
Court documents show Jeffries, 77, living at 289 Golden Pond Lane in Marble. He was arrested on Sept. 17, 2025, and charged with second-degree trespass stemming from his presence at a local tobacco shop after he had been ordered to stay away. Bond was initially set at $250, but failure to appear at court led to increases to $500 and then $1,000. He was unable to post bond and remained in custody until his death, which came after he complained about abdominal discomfort on the night of Jan. 14.
“Chuck walked through our residential men’s drug and alcohol recovery program, and for a season of his life he chose to step toward help, accountability and hope,” Renewed Hope posted on Facebook. “That matters. Every step toward the light matters, even when the story feels unfinished to us.”
Those who knew him agree, finding solace in Jeffries’ faith in God.
“I’ll forever be grateful that I knew you and had the opportunity to hug you and tell you how happy I was when I’d see a flower behind your ear. I knew it was a good day for you,” Tonya McGrew posted on MountainView Church’s Family Facebook page. “It was a blessing to witness your baptism and Renewed Hope graduation. My heart hurts that your last year was such a struggle.”
Jeffries’ struggle with addiction was something that also concerned Mikels, a blind singer, as it had led to him living outside in the woods at times.
“He was so funny, so enjoyable to talk with and very sweet,” she said. “He’d always end our phone calls with, ‘Be a good girl, talk to you later.’ And he was so encouraging; he’d say something like, ‘A dollar to a donut you’ll do great,’ when I was nervous about a performance.
“When I heard he was gone, it hit me in the stomach so hard I thought I was going to pass out. I miss him already.”