Charles Monroe Easterling, Sr.

Deacon Charles Monroe Easterling Sr., of Columbia, SC, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Charles grew up on Sullivan’s Island, SC the oldest son of the late Charles Monroe and Catherine Maguire Easterling. Surviving him are his wife, Doris; his three children Denise Easterling, Patti (and husband Michael) King, and Chuck (and wife Cortney) Easterling; his grandchildren Matthew (and wife Amy), John, Christopher, David, Nicholas (and wife Brooke), Emily (and fiancé Justin), Katy (and husband Scott), Anna Kate, and Amelia; his great-grandchildren Lily, Charles, Samuel, and Owen; and his beloved sister Peggy Wilson. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, John Maguire Easterling. He was Charles, and “Charlie,” and “Deacon Charles,” and “Dad,” and “Papa.” A man with that many nicknames obviously touched a lot of people’s lives. As a headstrong young man, he rode his horse “Trigger” on the beaches of Sullivan’s Island and teased his younger sister Peggy as often as possible – a teasing that would continue for over eight decades. In his senior year of high school Charles’ father unexpectedly passed away spurring him to focus even more on his studies and rely even more on his Catholic faith. After high school, Charles moved north to Columbia, SC, to attend the University of South Carolina where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business. He met Doris in Columbia and “that was that.” They were married in 1959 and remained so for 64 years. Always the caregiver, Doris was at Charles’ side upon his recent passing. Degree in hand, Charles began working for Sears in Columbia. He would spend the next 31 years successfully advancing within the company as a store manager and labor relations lead. He was a leader and a strong communicator with a knack for getting opposing sides to agree to comprise. His work meant frequent relocations for his family and lots of weekday travel for Charles. Doris managed all of that and Charles would make up for it on nights and weekends at home. Charles and Doris grew in faith and love and were active members of the Catholic churches where they lived over the years. Hosting and leading Bible studies, Marriage Encounter courses, and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) classes, they made friends and deeply connected with so many people through their shared expressions of Faith. Charles eventually felt called to the diaconate and on a sunny afternoon in Charleston, he was ordained a Deacon. Charles beamed with joy surrounded by family and friends whose pride in him that day only grew over the years. Not one to sit still, Charles was soon called to work full-time at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Columbia. There he wore many hats, including faith counselor for engaged couples, consoler for families who had recently experienced loss, manager who couldn’t fix the church HVAC but could quickly find someone who could. For years he was the lone Deacon at St. Peter’s. Which to Charles meant he needed to help Msgr. Leigh Lehocky at the Saturday Mass and at all the Sunday services. He valued duty and work ethic. He never spent time talking about that, he just did it. His actions spoke louder than any words could. Throughout his life, Charles was filled with faith and wisdom. He was funny, could tell a great story, and had great business acumen. He was stubborn and hard-headed and could make Doris more frustrated than one thought humanly possible. And he was also a man who spent years volunteering visiting hospital patients, spending extra time on the cardiac care floor offering them his personal experiences and words of comfort. At home listening to music, he would conduct the band in his mind with his hands and sing along with John Denver and Annie (sic) Murray. During Mass he would sing even louder, always off-key and always with a joyous look on his face. He ate fast and loud. Even his ice cream seemed to need to be chewed. He was a lover of a “Dad-sized piece” of cake, a pile of cookies, ice cream bowls that seemed to have no bottom, and anything Doris happened to have in the candy drawer. Larger in his younger years, Charles slimmed down in the late 1980s and remained tall and trim. He loved life and was passionate about many things. He’d have an idea and jump from his chair. Charles was a man of action who – even slowed by age and health challenges – still wanted to get things done immediately. He was filled with faith, energy, and a never-ending supply of love. Papa, Dad, Charlie, Charles, Deacon Charles, we love you. A visitation will be held Saturday, July 8th, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia, SC. The visitation will be followed by a Mass in the church honoring Charles’ life beginning at 11:00 a.m. A private graveside ceremony will be held after the Mass. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations in Charles’ honor be made to either St. Peter’s Catholic School Scholarship Fund or Our Lady of the Hills St. Vincent de Paul Society. Temples-Halloran Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.templeshalloranfuneralhome.com