Charles Richard Major

Charles Richard Major, Sr., 90

Charles Richard Major, Sr. (affectionately known as Charlie) was born on December 24, 1927 and died on February 24, 2018. He was preceded in death by Frances, his wife of 69 years, and survived by four children and their families: Linda and Larry Woods of St. Joseph, Michigan and their children Rachel (Marty) Walsh of Walbridge, Ohio and Adam (Mandy) Woods of Chicago, Illinois; Patricia and Tom Anglin of Savannah, Georgia and their son Charles (Caroline) Anglin of Atlanta, Georgia; Richard and Karen Major of Johnson City, Tennessee and their children Will (Athens, Georgia) and Shannon (Johnson City Tennessee); and John Major and Debra Schultz of Brooklyn, New York, and his children Chelsea (Cincinnati, Ohio), Dylan (Ithaca, New York), and Rosalind (Davidson, North Carolina). He also had five great-grandchildren: Trevor, Nick, Ryan, Luke and Kyle, children of Rachel and Marty Walsh. He also leaves behind dozens of nieces and nephews that dearly loved their Uncle Charlie.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, John Major and Pearl Huie Major Grimm, brothers Albert and Elmer, and sisters Clara, Nell and Mary.

Charles was born on White Oak in South Shore, Kentucky. At 15, he went to work at Wright-Patterson Field in Dayton, sending money back to help his family. Four days after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving in Wichita Falls, TX; Spokane, WA; Denver, CO; and Dayton, OH. He met the love of his life Frances at the movies while on leave. They were married on September 15, 1947. A devoted employee of the Portsmouth Paint Company for 38 years, he also painted many signs for local businesses, ballfields and the Soap Box Derby for many years. Charles was a longtime member of Dry Run Church of Christ in West Portsmouth, serving for many years as both elder and deacon as well as song leader.

Charlie enjoyed beach vacations at the ocean with his family, camping trips and family picnics. He had many hobbies, including painting and sketching. A self-taught artist, he painted many scenes of the local community and prints of those works can be found in many homes and local businesses. He also loved playing the harmonica, and joined in at local music sessions, like the ones at Bryson’s General Store or the Wheelersburg Flea Market. He was a natural storyteller and often could be found sharing jokes and stories with his friends at McDonald’s and the Tuesday morning breakfast group, dubbed the ROMEO Club (“retired old men eating out”). Charlie never met a stranger and leaves behind many, many friends.

Charles dearly loved his family In Ohio and Kentucky and his extended family of church friends. A devoted husband, brother, uncle, father, and friend, he will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be 12:00 PM Noon, Thursday March 1, 2018 at Dry Run Church of Christ with Mark Seevers officiating. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery with graveside military rites by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. Friends may call from 5 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, it was Charlie’s request that any Memorial gifts be made in the form of a financial donation in his memory to the Shannon Elizabeth Major Special Needs Trust Fund. Remit donations to Amanda Holt in care of Hopwood Memorial Christian Church, PO Box 149, Milligan College, TN 37682. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.

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