Charles Thomas Heath

Charles Thomas Heath, Charlie, passed peacefully from this life on February 14, 2019, in Middletown, Maryland where he had been living with his daughter and son-in-law for the last 3 years. He was born on September 25, 1920 in Fireco, WV to parents Dora and Charles Heath. He was a devoted husband to the late Freda Mae Heath for 60 years.

Charlie is survived by his daughter, Dottie Dodson and husband Don, Middletown, MD and son, Tom Heath, Luray, VA, his grandchildren Jeff, Kristina, Matt, Josh and Ashley, and great grandchildren Claire, Collin, Chase, Dylan, Brandon, Jonathan, Adrian and Nicholas. He is also survived by his sister Janie Cooper, Ohio, and brothers Ronald Heath, Ohio, and Frank Heath, Alabama. He is remembered by his dear friends Mary and Joe Lamb and Alan Sayer of Charleston, SC, and his sister in law Shirley Heath, Beckley, WV.He is predeceased by his siblings Marie Blomquist, Lucille Lingle, Phyllis Scritchfield, Lorraine Ransom, Martha Randolph, Elizabeth Wilburn, Joyce Faye Heath, Raymond Heath, and Edith Bennett.

Charlie was a WWII Veteran. He joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1940 in Gauley Bridge, WV. After attending boot camp at the Norfolk Naval Training Center in Norfolk, VA, he served on the battleship USS Wyoming for 2 years. He next served 2 months at the Naval Receiving Station in Norfolk before transferring to the newly established Amphibious Training Base at Little Creek, VA in September 1942. He transferred to the cruiser USS Savannah in May 1943. The Savannah was bombed by an enemy plane severely damaging it and killing 206 of his fellow sailors. He also served on the cruiser USS Vicksburg in 1944 before being transferred to the Norfolk Naval Supply Center for 2 years. During his 20 year Navy career he was also stationed in Hawaii, Japan and Washington, DC. He retired from the Navy in August 1960. After his military service he worked 20 more years as a Civil Servant in personnel and security in Maryland.

Upon his retirement, he and his wife moved to Charleston, SC where he stayed active officiating baseball, softball, basketball and soccer at the Navy base. He also was involved in security details at PGA golf tournaments at Hilton Head, SC.Charlie has been physically active all his life by participating in sports. He was an avid golfer and loved to bowl as well. He was a member of Northbridge Baptist Church, Charleston, SC for 41 years serving as a deacon as well as having other responsibilities in the church. From 2004-2016 he volunteered at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, SC sitting at the information desk and driving patients to and from their vehicles in the hospital's golf cart.

He moved to Maryland in 2016 to live with his daughter and her husband. He spent many wonderful times with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Upon his return to MD, he once again worshiped at the First Baptist Church of Rockville where he originally began attending in the 1950s when he lived in Rockville, MD.

Charlie said that he has had a good life and thanks the Lord for that.

His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 23, 2019 in J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Ronald Heath officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Charlie's honor to Hospice Frederick County, 516 Trail Avenue, Frederick, MD 21702 or to a charity of one's choice.