MENSWEAR VETERAN CHARLES “CHUCK” NORWOOD HAS DIED

Menswear veteran Charles “Chuck” Thomas Norwood, 64, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 28th in his home in Dacula, Georgia.

A native of Florida, Norwood moved to Atlanta in 1978 and began his career in the apparel business with the Lee Company. He worked as regional manager for the southeast and won salesman of the year. In the early 1980’s he worked for Quality Mills (Cross Creek) traveling the southeast and winning several awards for his performance with the company. He later went on to start Pleats, Inc. with longtime friend and colleague Al Miller.

When Overton Apparel became available for sale in 1996, he bought the company and served as president until his passing. Over the years he built the company into a multi-million-dollar business, adding brands Tiger Mountain and Cotton Brothers. Overton Apparel was named Vendor of the Year by the Northwest Buyers Association for 2016.

He was longtime member of the Board of Directors for Men’s Apparel Club of the Carolinas (MAC), and would have been nominated for vice president, and ultimately become president in 2020. Said Larry D. Holland, executive director of the Men’s Apparel Club for 45 years: “Chuck was a very genuine person who never refused a request from anyone. He was a consummate professional in his business dealings. He always approached you with a smile on his face. He was a gentleman extraordinaire, and we as MAC’s and his retailer friends will miss him very much. Things will not be the same without him during the markets.”

Norwood is survived by; his spouse, Dianna Gates Norwood of Dacula, GA; his daughter, Ashley Norwood Benton and her husband, John Benton, his granddaughter, Annabelle Benton, of Brookhaven, GA; his brother, Dale Norwood, of Charleston, SC and nine nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol Loyd.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.