Charles Otha Renalds Jr.

Charles Otha Renalds Jr, 83, of Haymarket, Virginia, died after a brief illness on December 19, 2023. He was born in Washington D.C. in1940 to Charles and Jane Renalds of Arlington, Virginia. He loved to play neighborhood baseball and he served papers starting at the age of 9 with his younger brother, Jerry, with whom he had a lifelong close relationship until his brother’s passing in 2021. A younger brother, Kenneth, joined the family when Charlie was a senior in high school and then three years later a sister, Joyce, was welcomed into the family. He graduated from Washington Lee High School in 1958 before beginning work at the United States Postal Service in Washington DC. He continued work there until 1962, when he left to attend school at Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee. After graduating with an Associates Degree in 1964, he began work for the federal government and retired as a Budget Officer for the Army Corp of Engineers in 1994. Charlie began attending church as a young man at the invitation of his best friend Sam Gray’s mother. After he gave his life to Jesus, his life became centered around his relationship with the Lord. He faithfully served his church family wherever he found himself by working as an usher, singing in the choir and greeting at the door. He had a host of close friends within his church family, several of whom have remained close for over 60 years. During his time at Lee College, he met and abandoned all the “Virginia Apples” for his “Georgia Peach,” Claudette Sharpe. They were wed on September 6, 1964 in Odum, Georgia. Their adventure together began in a garden apartment near Fort Myers in Arlington, Virginia. Two years later, in early winter, they welcomed their first child, Sherry into the world. A few weeks later the new little family moved into their first home on South Second Street in Arlington. Their son, Steven, was born in 1970 in the same house. The two children grew up in their second home in Annandale, Virginia, where Charlie and Claudette would remain until a few years after retirement, when they moved to their current home in Haymarket, Virginia. In recent years, he was a very active member of his Gainesville Life Group and R.O.M.E.O.’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out). He was active in the Republican Party as a precinct chief for over 25 years. Though he always liked a bargain, retirement really brought out his thrifty side. Clipping coupons and collecting assorted toiletries at mere pennies a piece became almost an art form to him, much to the amusement (and gratitude) of his family. He could whistle a tune beautifully and was easily located in stores by following the sound of his melody. He had a competitive spirit, whether playing games with his grandchildren or cornhole and horseshoes with his friends. He liked to win. In retirement, Charlie and Claudette enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends, taking cruises and snowbirding in Florida with friends every February and March. His greatest joy and sense of pride in his later years were his grandchildren. He was delighted whenever he had the chance to spend time playing games, watching sports and celebrating all the special events in the children’s lives. He enjoyed being the resident Granddaddy to his younger grandchildren in Virginia. He would regularly pick them up from school, cheer them on in their sporting and musical events and have them for Sunday afternoon visits. The older grandchildren lived farther away, but he cherished time playing dominoes and shuffleboard, sharing his love for movies, and relaxing at the beach house in Delaware with them. He never missed a single major life event, including traveling to his grandson’s wedding in Pennsylvania in 2022. Charlie was beyond thankful to finally become a Great Granddaddy in July 2023 when Jeremiah James Davis was born. Charlie shared 59 devoted years of marriage with the love of his life, Claudette. Their lives together centered around their children, their parents, and their grandchildren. In his twilight years, when his health and strength were not what they used to be, his wife cared for him and nursed him with selfless tenderness. She never wearied of making egg custards for him and he would watch Hallmark movies with her because she loved them so. Even through these difficult years, the bond of their love in Christ Jesus shone brightly through their steadfast joy in and dedication to one another. Charlie was a man of faith, a devoted husband and loving father/granddaddy and a loyal friend. He could always be counted on to lend a hand or give counsel when it was needed. Most of the time he was a big tease who could frustrate and delight his family all at the same time. Charlie is predeceased by his parents, “Bud” and Jane Renalds and his brother, Jerry Renalds. He will be greatly missed, and his life celebrated by his loving wife, Claudette Sharpe Renalds, his children, Sherry Renalds Davis (Raymond Davis), and Steve Renalds (Sophia Renalds). He left a loving legacy to his grandchildren Megan Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Andrew Davis (Catherine Pahs Davis), Paul Renalds, Anna Maria Renalds and George Renalds and his first great grandchild, Jeremiah Davis. He will also be missed by his siblings, Ken Renalds and Joyce Renalds Baker (Larry Baker), sisters-in-law, Sharon Renalds and Paulette Sharpe Zawadski (Raymond Zawadzki) and all of their children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chapel Springs Missions Fund.

Charles Otha Renalds Jr.

June 23, 1940 - December 19, 2023