Charles C Farmer

Charles C. Farmer, Jr. of Beckley passed to his Lord and reunion with his loving father, C.C. Farmer Sr. and mother, Bessie Sue Worley, brother Chilton and sister, Madge Sims, at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday.  Charlie, born and raised in Beckley, was close to his pioneering family that settled in Bolt in the early 1800’s.  He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1942.  He enrolled in Riverside Military Academy, Gainesville, FL, completing one year, only to return home to a draft notice to join that great generation in this nation’s historic WWII battle in Europe.  A member 88th Division of the 5th Army, he entered at Anzio, Italy in 1944, battled north through Italy to Swiss border, witnessing the hanging of Mussolini, and exiting Naples to France, being discharged in England 1946.

Enrolling in Bowling Green University (KY) in 1946, he met his bride, Regina Mae Hughes, of Auburn, KY, graduating 1948.  From 1950 to 1955, to their union were born Cynthia Lou, Jo  Anne, Charles David (Chuck) and Christopher Alan.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Regina Mae, at home; daughters Cynthia Rinaldi, Summerville, SC; Jo Anne (Wilton) Richardson; their children Joshua (Emily); Jonathan (Heather), their children Sophie and Grayson, Charleston, SC; son Chuck (Nancy), their daughter Breana (Justin) Yoke, children Addison and Grayson; daughter Lindsey (Jared) Underwood and son Brody, all of Beckley; son Christopher (Becky), Clendenin, WV, their daughter Madison, Charleston, WV. 

Charlie worked briefly for Beckley Water Company, drove a truck during construction of the WV Turnpike, then was an accountant for Dunn and Bradstreet, before settling in at the United States Postal Service in Beckley from 1952-1984.  In 1963, Charles and his good friend, Bob Sadler, ordered two 55cc Yamaha motorcycles, the first in Beckley, through Popular Mechanics.  They arrived in a crate, were assembled by Charlie and Bob, and they spent years thereafter on a Yamaha, riding to work every day, no matter the season or weather.  Taking early retirement, Charles and Regina maintained a home in Beckley and in Naples, FL, returning to Beckley to a full life of travel and golf in 1990.

Charlie was raised in, and finished his earthly love of the Lord, at Beckley First Baptist Church.  He was a 50 year member of Beckley Lodge 95 A.F.&A.M.  He sat on the Board of Directors of Beckley Water Company, where his father was a lifelong employee, founder and officer.  Charlie was a kind and giving father and a friend to many.  His smile and kindness will be missed by all.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Boyd and everyone on 4B at Beckley VA Hospital for their wonderful, loving Hospice care. 

Funeral services will be Sunday, April 7 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, downtown Beckley, receiving friends beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Committal services will immediately follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley.  Masonic Rites provided by Beckley Lodge 95.  In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in memory of Charles Farmer to Beckley Area Foundation Farmer-Sims Memorial Fund, or to the Beckley Camp of Gideon International.

Arrangements by Melton Funeral Home, Beckley, WV.

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