Dr. Charles Victor Bancroft, affectionately known as Chuck or PopPop, age 89, of Gainesville, passed away peacefully at his residence on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on July 3, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Bancroft was the beloved son of Claudia Mae Hoover Bancroft (Sammie) and William Henry Bancroft. He grew up in a supportive and loving family, and had a special bond with his older brother, Billy Bancroft.

Dr. Bancroft’s life journey took him from the playing fields to a distinguished professional career. On June 15, 1958, he married Betty Ray Brown in a ceremony at Fairview Methodist Church in Cullman County, Alabama, while he was playing minor league baseball for the Detroit Tigers. Their union was a cornerstone of his life until her passing.

Preceded in death by his parents, Sammie and Bill Bancroft; his cherished wife, Betty Bancroft; his brother, Billy Bancroft; and his granddaughter, Kayla Dela Pena, Dr. Bancroft is survived by his daughter, Joan Leigh Bancroft; his son, Charles Victor Bancroft II (Vic) and grandchildren, Eleanor (Ellie), Charlie, and Isabel Bancroft. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Cricket Bancroft, wife of Vic; his son-in-law, Porter “Len” Fleming, husband of Joan; his sister-in-law, Melanie Bancroft, wife of Billy; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom were a great source of pride and joy in his life.

Dr. Bancroft had a distinguished career marked by both professional achievements and personal dedication. His legacy of hard work, compassion, and commitment to excellence will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Chuck started his ministry as a student minister in the First Methodist Church in Rainsville, Alabama and went on to the Huntsville First Methodist Church as the Assistant Minister. Chuck Bancroft was active in the equal rights movement, At Robinson’s Chapel Chuck was assigned to the Office of Christian Social Concerns developing an encounter group in Huntsville and Birmingham focusing on integration of worship services. He also marched in the funeral service for Martin Luther King. Chuck continued in the ministry, becoming a member of the North Georgia Methodist Conference. While pursuing a Doctorate in Sacred Theology at Emory, Chuck and Betty worked as house parents at Hillside Cottages, a United Way children's home in Decatur Georgia. He also continued serving several student appointments at Rex United Methodist Church on the weekends and over in Locus Grove, Georgia. Chuck completed his internship at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville Georgia, and his residency at Georgia Mental Health Institute in Atlanta Georgia.  Dr. Bancroft was hired as a supervisor at the Georgian Clinic, an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program in Atlanta Georgia.

Dr Bancroft moved his family to Gainesville Georgia, hired as the Director of Consultation and Education with the Gainesville Mental Health Center. He then moved into private practice with the Association of North Georgia Marriage and Family Counseling. Dr Bancroft was also engaged in several consulting arrangements in education and industry.  He was a consultant to the President of Brenau College and his staff, including helping the college include male students. He was a consultant to MarJac Poultry Company for many years, and also consulted with the personnel department at Oil Data in Houston Texas.  Dr Bancroft was also drafted by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to serve on a seven person committee commissioned to visit other states and note how they were designing their mental health systems and grant processes. This committee presented their findings to the Georgia State Senate for all the Georgia Mental Health facilities. His most recent work has been with the Beyond Dementia Coalition, “inspiring people through awareness and education, recognize, assist, engage and ultimately embrace people living with dementia.”

A celebration of Dr. Bancroft’s life will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. A private family interment will take place at the columbarium of the Gainesville First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of one's choice in Dr. Bancroft’s memory.

Dr. Charles Victor Bancroft will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched throughout his remarkable life.