Charles Whatley, former state lawmaker whose family’s stew drew Alabama politicians for decades, dies at 81

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August 25, 2026

Charles Whatley, a dairy farmer from Beauregard and builder who served in the Alabama House of Representatives and helped feed hundreds each year at his family’s Whatley Stew, died Monday, Aug. 24. He was 81.

He was the father of former state Sen. Tom Whatley of Lee County. Around Beauregard, he built affordable housing, was a strong supporter of Auburn University and was known for the two-dollar bills, coins and balloons he gave out.

Politicians and normal folk across the state have for decades made an annual pilgrimage to the Whatley Farm in Beauregard, Alabama, for the Whatley Stew. Picture volunteers using boat paddles to stir the stew in large barrels over open flames. The stew, barbecue and sides make for an all-Alabama meal, compliments of the Whatley family.

If all those who have gone to the Whatley Stew over the decades were to show up for Charles Whatley’s service, they would have to hold it in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The farm where that stew is held is a six-generation family farm, Willow Run. At its largest, it had 1,100 head of dairy cattle on 2,000 acres along Chewacla Creek and was known as the largest dairy farm in the Southern United States.

Until his death, Charles Whatley continued farming at his home in Beauregard, in a three-acre garden where he had something growing no matter the season.

He served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He was a proud member of the Opelika Kiwanis Club for more than 50 years and served as its president.

In 1973, Charles was selected by the Rotary Club to travel to India as part of an agricultural outreach delegation to the Andhra Pradesh region.

He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives and was proud to serve there from 1974 to 1982, representing Lee, Barbour and Russell counties.

He reignited his political activity as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 2012, 2016 and 2020.

He could often be found in coffee groups and lunch bunches like the Opelika Cowboys, the Thinking Man’s Book Club and the ROMEO group (Retired Old Men Eating Out).

A small businessman. A farmer. A builder. A community leader. A family patriarch. A Trump delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 2016 and 2020.

While the Whatley family has been well known in East Alabama since the 1960s, they became known statewide when Sen. Tom Whatley lost his 2022 re-election bid by one vote in the Republican primary. There were questions, there was news coverage, and the one-vote difference stuck.

The Whatley family became a living example of the adage: “Every vote counts.”

When a statewide politician came to East Alabama, an early stop was to see Charles Whatley. He was often seen escorting candidates to local businesses and the courthouse. Now, they will escort him to his celebration of life.

He donated his body as an anatomical gift to the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile. To join in celebrating his life, come to Community Self Storage, 5008 Alabama Highway 51 in Beauregard, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. All who want to remember him are welcome.

To remember Charles, here are some missions that were important to him that could use your support:

Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler is a freelance writer about the colorful and positive in Alabama — her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected]