Charles Beasley

Charles William Beasley went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on June 15, 2024, and was blessed to have lived 100 years. The centenarian was born on May 19, 1924, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the late Irvin Luke Beasley and Katherine Anna Franklin Beasley. He was the youngest of four children. Charles attended Pittsburgh Public Schools and graduated from Westinghouse High School in 1943. He loved playing sports. During his early years he played baseball on an all-negro team. Charles also loved football and was an avid fan of both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers sports teams. During World War II, Charles was drafted and inducted into the U.S. Army on May 11, 1943, and was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, for his basic training. Charles first met his future wife, Helena Newberry, who lived in Washington, D.C., while she was visiting her aunt in Pittsburgh. They were reunited at a United Service Organizations dance at Fort Meade and were united in holy matrimony on October 18, 1943. The lovely couple remained married for 72 years. Charles was stationed in Hawaii and served in the Philippines. During his tour of duty in Leyte, Philippines, he was injured when a Japanese bomber airplane hit the Liberty cargo ship he was assigned to. Charles sustained injuries and subsequently received the Purple Heart, Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Battle Star, World War II Victory Medal, and the American Theater Medal. After Charles was honorably discharged in December 1945, he and Helena settled in Pittsburgh. From their union they were blessed with four daughters: Katherine, Sandra, Charlene (who was born on his birthday) and Helen. Charles worked various jobs before working at the Veteran Affairs Hospital from 1961 until his retirement in 1981. Charles loved spending time with his family. They often traveled to the Washington metropolitan area to visit his wife’s family and to attend the annual Douglass family reunions. Charles loved to work on cars and projects around the house. Moreover, he loved to paint and to show others how to paint and do different things. He loved gadgets and collected just about anything. Charles was a talented man who taught himself how to play the piano, harmonica, and banjo. And he was a self taught barber who loved to cut family and friends hair. He was known for passing out peppermint candy wherever he went. In 1962, Charles and Helena joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church, which later became Unity Lutheran Church. They were faithful and active members of the Church for over 50 years. Charles served as a deacon in the Church for many years. Charles will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters: Katherine Winbush (James), Sandra McGlory, Charlene Brannon, and Helen Stanard. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Samuel and William Newberry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Helena; brothers, Irvin Jr., and Walter Beasley; and sister, Roberta Collins.

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