Charles Dearman

Charles S. Dearman, 77, a long time resident of Long Beach, MS, joined his Savior in Heaven on July 20, 2010.
He has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled except with the wondrous memories of his days on this earth. He lived his life as a true Christian touching the hearts of everyone he met.
Charles was born on Sept. 20, 1932, to Sylvester (Jack) and Lillie Dearman in Carnes, MS. He grew up in Poplarville, Ms., playing football, basketball and softball during High School. He graduated from both Pearl River Jr. College and the University of Omaha. He joined the National Guard in 1950 which led to a 27 year career in the Army. He was the Honor Graduate at OCS, graduating first in his class. He was promoted to Captain in December 1963 and was stationed in Crailsheim, Germany where he served as the Division Quartermaster Supply Officer for the 504th S&T Battalion. On his second tour in Germany, he served as Executive Officer of the 95th S&S Battalion. During his career, he proudly served two tours in Thailand and one tour in Vietnam before retiring in 1977 at the rank of Major. The military provided him and his family with an opportunity to see the world and he extracted joy in every location.
In 1953, he married the love of his life, Zada Louise (Davis). She encouraged him to explore wherever his service took them. He and his family saw bullfights in Madrid, Spain, visited Buckingham Palace in England, witnessed Holland for the Tulip Festival, saw Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, road on a gondola through the canals in Venice, Italy, and visited King LudwigaÌ‚â‚â„¢s castle in Neuschawnstein.
After his military retirement, he began his second career with the State of Mississippi at the South Mississippi Regional Center in Long Beach, MS. His many hats of service included being head of Maintenance, Property Control, Emergency Preparedness, Purchasing, Support Services and Construction. He served as Assistant Director at the facility and in his 30+ years there, he greatly impacted the lives of employees and residents across the state.
After Hurricane Katrina, he slept on the floor of his office for three months keeping the center functioning after the catastrophe and then headed up the re-construction of damaged SMRC facilities across the state. His adventures with his wife continued as they traveled across the nation annually even trekking across Alaska and visiting the Mexican border towns as well as sailing along the Gulf Coast to Florida. He took great pride in, and enjoyed the company of his grandsons, Aleks and Adam, as they grew into men and provided them with the opportunity to achieve in life whatever they yearned for. He loved in son-in-law, Kenny Gregory, as much as if he was his own son.
Charles was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Long Beach and also was the vice-chairman of the building committee to construct the church when it was lost to the storm. He served as Deacon ministering within the community for decades. Every one he met was a prospect for him to exemplify his Christian standards. He never missed an opportunity to offer assistance to friends and strangers alike. No unkind word could ever come from his lips, impatience was something he could not imagine. While he was a quiet soul, he loved the opportunity to share his latest joke. His love of God gave him a peace that allowed him to see the beauty in everyone and everything. He found joy in helping others, gardening, making jelly, playing the guitar and electric keyboard, singing, reading books and reading his Bible. He never started the day without the Sports section of the newspaper. How proud he was to live long enough to see his New Orleans Saints win the Superbowl in 2010. His life is one to be celebrated and admired and, though our hearts break at the thought of living without him, we are richer for him being a part of our lives.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence & Lillie Dearman, and by his grandson, Andrew Gregory.
He is survived by his loving wife, Zada L. Dearman, daughter Donna (Kenneth) Gregory of Baton Rouge, La., son Dennis Dearman of Long Beach, grandsons Aleks Gregory and Adam Gregory of Baton Rouge.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd., Long Beach from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
A service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, July 23, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Long Beach, 300 N. Cleveland Ave. at 10:00 a.m.
Interment will follow at the Long Beach Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Building Fund at the First Baptist Church of Long Beach. Contact the church at 228-864-2584.
An online obituary may be viewed and guestbook signed at www.riemannfamily.com.