Charles Franklin Denny III

With great sadness, we share that Charles Franklin Denny III died on June 29, 2026, at the age of 81 at the Columbia Presbyterian Community of Lexington, South Carolina, after a long illness.

Charlie graduated from Centre College, with a degree in biology in 1966. He continued his studies at the University of Kentucky earning a master’s degree in microbiology and completing all coursework toward a doctorate. During his research, he discovered a new species of the bacterium, Bdellovibrio. In 1970, Charlie began his teaching career at the Clinch Valley College, now known as the University of Virginia at Wise. In 1975, he accepted a teaching position at The University of South Carolina in Sumter.

Charlie was a lifelong Presbyterian. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Sumter, South Carolina, where he served as a teacher, deacon, and elder. He also served the Presbytery of New Harmony as a member of the Committee on Ministry and the Administrative Council.

Charlie is survived by his devoted wife of almost 58 years, Glenda Wininger Denny; his son, Chris Denny (Alle Denny) and daughter-in-law, Lynn Denny; his grandchildren, Joshua Denny (Natalie Denny), Hannah Denny, and Charles Denny; his nieces and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles F. Denny Jr. and Ruth Denny Tarkington; his step-father Robert K. Tarkington, Jr.; his sister: Margaret D. Hicks; and his son: Jeffrey K. Denny.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Sumter, SC, USC-Sumter Scholarship Fund, or Westminster Presbyterian Church of Columbia, SC.