Charles Alton Watson, 90

August 23, 1935  –  March 8, 2026

~Steve Holland, owner of Holland Funeral Directors announces the death of Charlie Watson, beloved Tupelo businessman and Elvis aficionado 3/8/26 ~

Tupelo-Charles Alton “Charlie” Watson “left the building” around 1 PM today, Sunday, March 8, 2026 from Sanctuary Hospice House where he had been well taken care of since Nov. 11, 2025. He was 90 years old. Charlie was born in Willow, Arkansas on August 23, 1935. Charlie came to Mississippi from Arkansas in l960. He married Peggi Watson in l961 and they made their home in Tupelo ever since. He worked for Woody Watson at Gardner-Watson Ice Company in Tupelo, eventually owning it with his wife, Peggi.

Charlie’s contributions to Tupelo were noteworthy. He had owned a Club in Newport, Ark. known as the Silver Moon. As the movement to honor Tupelo’s leading citizen, Elvis Presley began to develop, Charlie was among its earlier leaders, eventually helping establish the Elvis Presley Festival, now in its 27th year! The Festival is well attended each year and Charlie, through his involvement, became a Father figure to many, many Elvis Tribute artists over the years. He owned and operated the Silver Moon Club in Tupelo with his large collection of Elvis memorabilia in a magnificent redirected part of the original Gardner Watson Ice House in Tupelo. During the Elvis Festival, numerous tribute artists performed at private parties at the Silver Moon Club as well as him hosting countless local events over the years in his unique “Elvis centered” venue Charlie’s wonderful humility, his kindness, his innate ability to bring folks together for the common good became legendary in Tupelo. He was a model citizen, a giver and never a taker and was beloved by locals as well as Elvis fans around the globe.

Funeral Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo Chapel, 5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS. 662 840 5000 or 662 213 7971.

~Steve Holland

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.