Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Charles Edward Cheese was born to the late Hoover Cheese & Lillie (Evans) Cheese Canada on March 1, 1947 in Wingrove, WV. “Cheese” or “Hoover”, as he was affectionately known to his family, departed this earthly world on August 31, 2021. His wife, Carolyn and sister Irma were by his side when the Lord called him to his final resting place.

Charles is preceded in death by his stepfather, Andrew Canada; brothers, Wandell “Sonny” Cheese, Frank “Frankie” Canada, and Donald “Donnie” Canada and grandson, Marquee Glanton-Bradley.

Charles leaves behind sisters, Joyce Addison, Gloria “Jean” Greene, and Irma Anderson, Janet Canada, Annette Gore, and Donna “Kathy” Galloway; and brothers, James “Baby Jim” Cheese, Marvin “Leon” Cheese, Lynn “Skeeter” Canada, Andrew Canada, Jr.,David Canada, and Stuart Canada.

Charles graduated from Mt. Hope High School in 1966, where he was known for his speed in track. That same year, Charles enlisted in the US Marine Corp, where he served in the Vietnam War. His high school buddies, Nathaniel “Nate” Shelton, Ronald “Ronnie” Stevens, and the late Richard “Dickie” Cosby all entered the USMC together, and they remained his best friends until the bitter end….SEMPER FI (always faithful - the motto of the US Marine Corp).

Charles, after leaving the USMC, lived in New York City working with IBM, until he was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Wright (Bradley). In 1975, they moved with her three children (Pamela, Chaquetta “Chatty”, and Robert “Bert” Bradley) to Newark, New Jersey.

Charles eventually opened his own business, C-Typewriter Repair Services, where he landed a contract with the Newark Board of Education for several years. Once his entrepreneurship ended, Charles worked with Radio Shack both in New Jersey, and West Virginia after he relocated back in 1993.

Charles and Carolyn, for many years, have been a part of the Glen Jean community. They lived in the house next to the bridge, where you would often find him in his yard doing numerous chores, or reading his USA Today newspaper. He loved his cat, Sandy, his riding lawn mower, his various tools, his NY Yankees, and his Washington Redskins or Pittsburgh Steelers...according to which team was playing.

Charles, after his health began to fail, enjoyed passing time watching Gunsmoke with his sister, (Irma). The Glen Jean community always checked on him, and was willing to assist Charles however they could. He also attended his local church on Collins Hill, First Missionary Baptist.

Charles will be forever loved, cherished and missed by his oldest great-granddaughter, Nikyra Stubbs and godchild, Shannon Hudnall-Watts. In addition to his loving wife and three children, Charles leaves behind a son, Dwayne Bowen; seven grandchildren (Nikisha, Justin, Eddie, Amber, Sirena, Sada, Kieth, and Savannah); ten great-grand grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephew, and other family and friends.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Saturday, September 11, 2021 at United Missionary Baptist Church 205 S. Fayette Ave., Mt. Hope, with Rev. Eugene Nabors officiating. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Memorial Park, Oak Hill.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view one hour prior to the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.