Charles William Richmond, 95, longtime resident of Meadow Creek, passed away January 16, 2024, 8:17 pm, at Beckley ARH Hospital.

Predeceasing Charles were his parents, Carl W. and Lorena Vandall Richmond, his sister Lucille, brother Alvis, twin brother James, and his wife Jo Ann.  Charles was devoted to his wife Josephine Ann Hoke Richmond.  Jo Ann passed away on March 27, 2011, at age 85.

Survivors are a son, the couple's only child, Dr. Doug Richmond of Blacksburg VA, and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Charles was born in Prince on June 20, 1928. He was pleased to have been born on June 20 which is celebrated annually as West Virginia Day. The family moved to a farm near Sandstone during his teenage years. The newly married couple, Charles and Jo Ann, established residency at Meadow Creek. He lived at Meadow Creek from then until August 10, 2023, when he moved to Main Street Care, Hinton.

The young schoolboy Charles loved learning and school. He didn't like Fridays because Friday was the end of the school week.

Charles was a retired carman, a car foreman, with CSX. He began his railroad career with an apprenticeship in Richmond VA. After Richmond, he worked at Clifton Forge VA, then Rainelle, and finally Hinton. He spent most of his career at Rainelle.

Charles was in the Army during the Korean War, assigned to a medical unit. He thrived on military life. He began his military service at Fort Campbell KY and finished at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio TX. Fort Campbell is famous for the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles".

Charles tirelessly preached the critical importance of a positive attitude and hope. A few years ago, when he was in the hospital for rehab, the director of rehab services there said he was an "inspiration". He had compassion for others. His support for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an example of that.

Charles loved holidays and birthdays. Halloween is an example, when he enjoyed wearing his orange and black sweater and interacting with the trick-or-treaters. He remembered everybody's birthday.

Charles was physically strong. He had a longtime interest in weightlifting. He had weights at home. He subscribed to weightlifting magazines. In his mid-eighties, he rebuilt his front porch.

Charles was committed to his church.  As a teenager, he was baptized in the New River at Terry.  He led the singing and taught the lesson at his church.  As long as his health permitted, he attended services at the Church of Christ on Laurel Creek near Sandstone.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton, WV with Minister Paul Lane officiating.  Charles will be buried alongside his beloved Jo Ann in Meadow Creek Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.