Charles Philbert Hartwell
Feb. 21, 1932 – July 1, 2024
Charles “Charlie” Philbert Hartwell, 92, of Alum Creek, formerly of St. Albans, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 1, 2024, at Hubbard Hospice West at Thomas Hospital in South Charleston, WV.
Charles wholeheartedly devoted his life to his faith, his family, and his friends, gaining wisdom from his lifelong study of God’s Word. Born at Sod, Lincoln County, Charles was a longtime Christian and was an active member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in St. Albans, where he loved serving in many capacities, including teaching Sunday School and being a member of the choir. He also attended Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church at Alum Creek.
Graduating from South Charleston High School with the class of 1950, he played in the Black Eagles marching band, receiving an All-State Band ranking of first chair trombone for four consecutive years. He had a lifelong love of marching band music, and continued to play trombone until he was 92 years old. He retired from the Engineering Division of Union Carbide, with 35 years of service, and Midwest Technical with 10 years of service. He attended West Virginia State College while working full time at Carbide. He also served his country as a member of the United States Army Reserves for 8 years, playing trombone in the 45th Infantry Reserves Band.
He loved the outdoors, and spent much time fishing and golfing, and also traveling in the United States and Canada, and spent much time with family and friends at his camp in Greenbrier County, WV. Following retirement, he remained very active, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and Hubbard Hospice House.
In the later years of his life, he traveled and continued to serve the Lord with his wife, Betty, in church, in the community, and with family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lota McClure Hartwell and Kelva Frazer Hartwell; brother Doyle Kelva Hartwell; and wife of 55 years, Iva Bell Hartwell.
Charles is survived by his wife, Betty Rabel Curry; children, Randy (Catherine) Hartwell of Durham, NC, Melinda (Mark) Byrnside of Canton, GA; and granddaughter, Emily Hartwell, PhD., of Philadelphia, PA; niece Anita (Doug) Sims of St. Albans, and Mark (Shauna) Hartwell of Houston, TX; stepchildren Clenton (Gail) Curry, Randy (Gail) Curry, and Todd (Lori) Curry, all of Alum Creek, and John (Donna) Curry of Myrtle Beach, SC; and several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in St. Albans on Saturday, July 6, 2024, with Rev. Jake Henley officiating. Burial will be at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. The family will receive friends at St. Peter’s between noon and 2:00.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 2601 Forrestal Ave., St. Albans, WV.
So sorry to hear this, Charlie and I worked together for Union Carbide in the Engineering Dept. at Institute, WV 1960’s and early 1970’s. One of the finest person I have known…R.I.P. “Charlie”