Mr. Charles E. Leftwich, Sr.
August 11, 2011
Charles Edward Leftwich, Senior died Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Forsyth Memorial Hospital after an extended period of illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 19 at United Metropolitan Missionary Church with Reverend Prince Raney Rivers officiating followed by interment at the Salisbury National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church at 9:30 am, and the funeral will begin at 10:00 am.
Charles was born on November 28, 1929 in Bluefield, West Virginia to Margaret Ryan and James Russell Leftwich. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1948 where he played trumpet in the band and met his wife, Caroline Cunningham, whom he married in March 1957. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and traveled around the world. He served tours in Korea and Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star as well as other military honors. In 1976, Charles retired after thirty years as a Command Sergeant Major and settled his family in Winston-Salem. He taught ROTC at East Forsyth High School before joining R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company where he worked as an administrator for ten years.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed volunteering with the Boy Scouts, and coaching soccer and baseball. He was active in his church, United Metropolitan, as a member of the Senior Choir, men’s chorus, Layman’s League, One Voice and the Senior Ushers. He enjoyed spending time with his family, barbequing, watching old westerns and war movies. He was an emotional Dallas Cowboy fan. A loving and supportive father, his gregarious sense of humor will be missed by all whose life he touched.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Caroline Cunningham Leftwich; children: Charles Edward Leftwich Jr., Cecil Leftwich (Mia), Carol Leftwich (Phil Hayden), and Carlton Leftwich; nine grandchildren: Ryan, Charles Edward III, Desmond, Cameron, Caroline Elizabeth, Cecil Jr., Meredith, Austin James and McKenna; one great grandchild, Xavier; one step-sister, Cookie; one aunt, Maxine Cooper, one special cousin who was like his sister, Yvonne Ryan Morris; and a host of Ryan/Leftwich/Cunningham in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Endowment Fund of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in his memory.
Charles was born on November 28, 1929 in Bluefield, West Virginia to Margaret Ryan and James Russell Leftwich. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1948 where he played trumpet in the band and met his wife, Caroline Cunningham, whom he married in March 1957. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and traveled around the world. He served tours in Korea and Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star as well as other military honors. In 1976, Charles retired after thirty years as a Command Sergeant Major and settled his family in Winston-Salem. He taught ROTC at East Forsyth High School before joining R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company where he worked as an administrator for ten years.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed volunteering with the Boy Scouts, and coaching soccer and baseball. He was active in his church, United Metropolitan, as a member of the Senior Choir, men’s chorus, Layman’s League, One Voice and the Senior Ushers. He enjoyed spending time with his family, barbequing, watching old westerns and war movies. He was an emotional Dallas Cowboy fan. A loving and supportive father, his gregarious sense of humor will be missed by all whose life he touched.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Caroline Cunningham Leftwich; children: Charles Edward Leftwich Jr., Cecil Leftwich (Mia), Carol Leftwich (Phil Hayden), and Carlton Leftwich; nine grandchildren: Ryan, Charles Edward III, Desmond, Cameron, Caroline Elizabeth, Cecil Jr., Meredith, Austin James and McKenna; one great grandchild, Xavier; one step-sister, Cookie; one aunt, Maxine Cooper, one special cousin who was like his sister, Yvonne Ryan Morris; and a host of Ryan/Leftwich/Cunningham in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Endowment Fund of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in his memory.