Charles Henry Forbes III

Charles H. Forbes III, affectionately known as "Chuck," passed away on November 10, 2026, at the age of 71. Born on December 29, 1954, in Frankfurt, Germany, on a United States Army base while his father was stationed there, Chuck's life took him on many journeys before eventually making his home in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Chuck was the son of the late Charles H. Forbes II and Hattie Mae Forbes. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, an outdoorsman, a creative artist, and a man whose humor and infectious smile left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Chuck shared nearly 52 years of marriage with his sweetheart, Mary Jo Ann Forbes. Their love story began when they were very young, and together they built a life centered around love, laughter, adventure, and, above all, family.

Family was always Chuck and Mary Jo's greatest priority. Over the years, they treasured taking their family on vacations and cruises, creating memories that would last for generations. After retirement, they purchased their beach home in Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina, opening its doors to family and loved ones. It became a special place for gatherings, visits, laughter, and making memories together.

An outdoorsman at heart, Chuck especially loved fishing and hunting with his family and grandchildren. He took great pride in teaching his boys about the outdoors and the lessons of life. He was the kind of father who was always there when needed, never too busy to offer advice, lend a helping hand, or travel wherever his sons needed him. His love for his boys was unwavering, and he took tremendous pride in the men they became.

Chuck passed along his strong work ethic, leadership abilities, and love of the outdoors to his oldest son. Through his example, he taught the importance of hard work, responsibility, problem-solving, and leading others by example. His appreciation for the outdoors and practical, hands-on approach to life helped shape his son's own interests and career path. Today, his oldest son has built a successful career as a licensed land surveyor and serves as Vice President of Survey for Thompson & Litton, Inc. in Radford, Virginia. It is a testament to the values Chuck instilled in him that he has grown into a respected professional and leader in his field. From his work ethic to his ability to manage people and tackle challenges, so much of what Chuck taught him continues to influence the way he works and leads today. Like his father, he has built his success through dedication, knowledge, and a deep appreciation for the world around him.

Chuck was also a self-taught home improvement expert who had an incredible ability to figure out how things worked and bring his ideas to life with his own two hands. He and Mary Jo spent many years renovating and flipping houses together, turning their hard work, creativity, and resourcefulness into something they could share as a team. Dad had a natural talent for teaching himself new skills and tackling projects that others might find intimidating. He didn't just know how to do things; he knew how to figure them out, and he loved passing that knowledge along.

He eventually shared that passion and expertise with his son, Jeremie, teaching him the ins and outs of renovating and flipping houses. Today, Jeremie has built on that foundation and become a successful house flipper through Forbes Design, working alongside his wife, Stephanie. In many ways, Dad's knowledge, ingenuity, and hands-on approach live on through Jeremie and the work they do. His legacy is not only in the homes he helped transform, but also in the skills, confidence, and love of building something from the ground up that he passed down to the next generation.

Chuck was also an incredibly creative and artistic soul. He and Mary Jo enjoyed spending hours exploring flea markets and junk shops, searching for unique treasures and materials that Chuck could transform into something special. His signature creations were personalized steampunk-style lamps, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the personality and interests of the person receiving it. Every lamp was one of a kind, just like the people he made them for. These creations were more than works of art; they were pieces of Chuck's heart; made especially for the people he loved.

Chuck's artistic spirit and talent for working with his hands also found a home in his youngest son, Mike. Like his father, Mike inherited a natural eye for creativity and an ability to see the artistic possibilities in metal and other materials. He is a skilled glass blower as well as a welder/metalworker. He has carried that passion forward, building his own successful business, Goliath Pipeline and Construction, LLC, designing and creating artistic metalwork for notable buildings throughout Oklahoma. Along the way, he has also put his skills to work on hundreds of other welding, fabrication, and steel projects. It is a wonderful reflection of Chuck's influence that Mike has taken the creativity, craftsmanship, and love of making something extraordinary that he learned from his dad and turned it into a career of his own. Though their creations may be different, they share the same gift: the ability to take raw materials and transform them into something beautiful, meaningful, and lasting.

Chuck also had a passion for classic cars and enjoyed attending car shows with Mary Jo. Throughout his working years, he served as a service manager at several automobile dealerships. He and Mary Jo also shared the experience of owning and operating MJ's Cafe in Churchville, Virginia, where their sons worked alongside them over the years. The restaurant became much more than a business; it was a place filled with family, hard work, and countless memories.

Those who knew Chuck will remember his wonderful sense of humor. He was a natural jokester, always ready with a funny story, a good joke, or something to make everyone laugh. His smile and infectious laugh could brighten any room. He had a special way of making people feel welcome, bringing people together, and reminding everyone not to take life too seriously.

Above all, Chuck was a family man. His greatest joys were found in the time spent with Mary Jo, his sons, and his grandchildren. Whether fishing, traveling, sharing a meal, telling stories, creating something with his hands, or simply enjoying time together, Chuck made ordinary moments unforgettable.

Chuck is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 52 years, Mary Jo Ann Forbes and two fur-babies Whiskey and Rye; his three sons: Charles H. Forbes IV, his wife, Charity; Jeremie W. Forbes, his wife, Stephanie; Michael A. Forbes, his wife, Deana; his beloved grandchildren: Hunter Forbes; Nicholas and Noah Forbes; Amber Boney (Bryan); Kendall Beasley (Nautica); Kyler Beasley; and Kylee Beasley. His legacy continues through his great-grandchildren: Braydn, Sadie, and Terick Boney; and Nalani, Kennadi, Swayde, and Kollins Beasley.

Chuck is also survived by his siblings: brother Richard Forbes (Ann); twin sisters Betty Miller and Barbara Forbes; brother John David Forbes (Jackie), sister-in-law Carol Derryberry, and six nieces and nephews.

Though he may no longer be here to share his stories, tell his jokes, or cast a fishing line alongside his family, his laughter, lessons, creativity, and love will live on through the generations. His family will forever cherish the memories made, the traditions he helped create, and the countless ways he showed them what it meant to love deeply and live fully.

Forever our husband, Dad, brother, Uncle, and Papa. Your laughter will echo in our hearts forever.

A private family celebration of life will be held to honor and remember Chuck. There will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Chuck’s name to the American Heart Association or the American Kidney Fund.

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