Charles Beasley Irvin

Charles Beasley Irvin, 85, of Madison Heights, died peacefully at his residence on Monday, May 19, 2014, surrounded by friends and family. Charles was born on October 3, 1928 in Amherst County, to Arthur Lee Irvin and Clora Beasley Irvin. He was the husband of the late Lucille Scott Irvin, to whom he was married for 51 years.

Charles was also preceded in death by a sister, Clora M. Irvin Mattox of Madison Heights, and a brother, Thomas D. Irvin of Denver Colorado. He is survived by a sister, Virginia Lee Irvin Pettit of Clarksville, Maryland. Charles is also survived by his three children: daughter, Doris Irvin Lakey (Don), and sons, Dennis S. Irvin and Kevin C. Irvin (Shari), all of Madison Heights. In addition, grandchildren, Tracy Peters (Chris) Melissa Lang (Pete), Daniel Lakey (Kristin), Jill Conner, Tori Irvin, Connor Irvin, and Jake Irvin all cherish his memory, as well as great-grandchildren Lauren, Brennan, and Grayson Peters, Easton and Kennedy Lang, and Alyssa and Ayden Conner. Charles leaves behind many wonderful nieces and nephews, and countless loving friends.

Charles grew up in “old town” Madison Heights. He joined Madison Heights Baptist Church at age 12 years, and served this church faithfully in all capacities, including being a founding member of the Keenagers. He graduated from EC Glass High School in 1945, and had already begun working at Lynchburg Foundry in 1944 at age 16. He graduated from the Apprenticeship School in 1949, and was promoted to Foreman in 1960, and again to Superintendent of the Shell Mold Foundry department in 1972. Charles began to develop hearing problems and transferred to the Pattern Shop as supervisor, where he worked until retirement in 1985, after 41 years of service to this company.

As a man who dedicated his life to serving others, Charles volunteered in leadership roles in Scouts, PTA, and many other giving ways. He was an award-winning member of Madison Heights Ruritan Club, and as part of the Seminole Drive neighborhood, helped establish a community swimming pool. Charles was a brilliant man and could build and repair most anything. He was a problem solver, with an engineer’s mind and never met a project he couldn’t handle. He built homes for his wife and family, and later for all three of his children. As part of his missionary work with the church, he partnered with several friends to help re-build communities in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. He freely gave of his time and talents to assist friends and family, and people he didn’t even know, never expecting anything in return. Late in his life, as Parkinson’s disease and dementia was taking its toll on his physical body, he still initiated a fundraiser at his new residence at Heritage Green to sponsor a child in Indonesia for surgery to repair a cleft palate. He will be missed by all, and his spirit of giving will forever be remembered.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm – 8:00pm on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at Whitten Monelison Chapel in Madison Heights. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 23 at 1:00pm at Madison Heights Baptist Church, with Rev. Todd Blake officiating, followed by interment at Fort Hill Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank everyone who has been a part of Charles’ journey during the last few years of his earthly life. Those wishing to make memorials may consider Monelison Rescue Squad, or a Parkinson’s research foundation of your choice.