STOPFORD, REV. CHARLES, age 72, passed away on October 12, 2012. Encourager, Counselor, Teacher, Preacher, Leader, Comforter: Charles died as he lived - with great strength and faith, embraced by the love of his family at his bedside. Challenged by Muscular Dystrophy (SMA) as a young adult, he never let his wheelchair keep him from his Calling in the life of the Church. Challenged again when diagnosed in June with pancreatic cancer, his courage and faith inspired and sustained those who walked this difficult final journey with him. Born in Woonsocket, RI, Charles grew up in Orlando, was a graduate of Rollins College, and earned his Master of Divinity cum laude from Emory University Candler School of Theology. He served United Methodist churches in North Georgia and Florida, retiring in 2000 as the Church Administrator and Program Director at First United Methodist Church, Orlando. Prior to his career in Ministry, Charles served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was employed as a chemical engineer. Charles was a beloved teacher, biblical scholar and spiritual mentor who touched many lives with wisdom, gentleness, and compassion. He taught Christian Discipleship and Theology and Church History to numerous groups within the church. The Women's Bible Study group was blessed by his leadership and teaching for the past twenty-four years. He served on the UMC Florida Conference Finance Committee and the Central Florida Wesley Foundation, and was an officer in the Southeastern Jurisdiction UMC Church Administrator's group. Charles was always forward-thinking: he developed the first church website in the Florida Conference by working with students from UCF and learning HTML code. When the Church undertook a year-long Bible study spanning Genesis through Revelation, Charles wrote a daily e-mail commentary which deepened the congregation's journey through the scriptures. He served as the church webmaster until 2011, and continued his teaching in the church long after formally retiring. Charles is survived by his loving wife Phyllis of 32 years and a wonderful blended family: sons Chris, Eric, Wesley, Kevin, Brian, Aaron, and Tim; daughters Rebecca Davis (Tony) and Rachel Gandee (Shawn); stepson Dr. Thomas Land and stepdaughter Deborah Mitchell (Charlie); twenty-seven grandchildren who loved their Papa, and two great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Stopford (Janet), and sisters Mary Long (David) and Karen Stopford. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 20, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Orlando in memory of Charles. Services entrusted to the care of Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, Orlando. 407.898.2561. www.careyhandcolonialfh.com
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