On Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, Mr. Charles “Charlie” Edward Thomas, 78, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home at Carolina Beach.
There will be a service to celebrate his life at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Red Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Rodney Clements officiating. The family will greet friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.
Charles was born in the Lanesboro Township of Anson County on Nov. 21, 1945, and was a son of the late Ranson Theodore Thomas and the late Mamie Estelle Porter Thomas. He was a 1964 graduate of Anson High School. Following graduation from high school, he would spend summers working as a meat cutter at the A&P Grocery Store.
He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Rifle Decoration. He was a part of the regiment known as The Blackhorse Regiment, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, a United States Army unit that serves as the opposing force for foreign military forces and Army.
Following his service in the Army, he returned home and had a long and successful career with the CSX Railroad as a conductor for 38 years. He retired in 2005.
Charlie, as a child and young man, grew up being a part of Red Hill Baptist Church and in recent months he asked that his membership be moved back home to Red Hill — a place that has been a very important part of the Thomas and Porter families.
In 2003, Charlie met and married the love of his life, Carol Hoover. With their marriage, he inherited a family of three girls. He was more than a stepfather, he treated them all if they were his very own children. Through the years, he enjoyed taking his grandchildren on trips to various places such as Pennsylvania, mission trips, camping trips, boating adventures and devoting his summers to family time.
Charlie and Carol took the time to celebrate the birthdays of each of the children and grandchildren, as well as holidays. He had excellent skills at grilling the best ribeye steaks, burgers and the best Boston butt. It was also not unusual to find Charlie with a fishing pole in his hand.
During the times of peaceful reflection he shared with each family member how much they meant to him. His words were, “I have a great family and have thoroughly enjoyed my life. It has been an honor and a pleasure. I appreciate you, I appreciate mom, more than anything and I have had a great life with you honey and I thank you for giving me a family and making it special.”
Those who are left to cherish is memory are his wife of 21 years, Carol Hoover Thomas; his children, Kim Worth (Lee) of Jacksonville and her children, Tracer Jr., Thomas, Ryan, Jake, Adam Malray and Mason Sutton; Jenny Kanipe (Corbett) of Clayton and her son, Gavin; and Becky Worth of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and her children, Brittany Sprouse and Chance Allen; and one great-grandson, Tracer Fitz Malray.
He also leaves his sister and brother, Betty Gray Thompson of Polkton and Randy Thomas (Peggy) of Chadbourn; his nieces and nephews and their families; and many dear cousins and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister, Billy Frank Thomas and Christine Gross; and his brother-in-law, Felix Thompson.
The family would like to thank Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice for their care and support of Charles.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at leavittfh.com.
