Gretna, VA……….Charles Richard Lingafelt, age 80 of Gretna went to be with his Lord on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born September 19, 1934 in Burke County, NC, he was a son of the late Charles Edwin Lingafelt and Essie Walker Lingafelt. He was a 1954 graduate of Danville Technical Institute. He married Glenna Rose Tillotson August 14, 1955 and after working at WBTM in Danville, they moved to Gretna in 1956, where Charles helped start WMNA, an AM & FM radio station. At WMNA he was chief engineer and the morning announcer until 1964, when he joined Peoples Mutual Telephone Company as Plant Superintendent, working there until he retired January 1, 2000. Charles was a member and a former Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Gretna. He also had taught Sunday School, served on various committees, and sang with the adult choir, the Fishermen and Countrymen. Charles was a Life Member of both the Gretna Volunteer Fire Department and the Gretna Rescue Squad. He was on the Gretna Planning Commission for several years and helped with the bond referendum for the creation of the consolidated Gretna High School. Charles was past president of the local American Heart Association, was a former Gretna Jaycees and worked diligently with the Gideons. He was the 1999 Gretna Merchants Citizen of the Year. He served on the Danville Community College diploma committee for the Electronics Department. His wife Glenna was the former Mayor of Gretna and he was proud of being the "First Man" of Gretna during her tenure. He was an avid reader, never meet a stranger, and loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and several foreign countries.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Glenna Tillotson Lingafelt of the residence; two sons, Charles Steven Lingafelt and his wife, Patti B. Lingafelt of Durham, NC and Phillip Richard Lingafelt of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Charles Steven Lingafelt, Jr. of Laurel, MD, and Hannah Hope Lingafelt of Durham, NC ; one brother, David Lingafelt and his wife, Janet of Newton, NC; one sister, Wanda L. Orders and her husband, Rod of Morganton, NC; nieces and nephews, Susan T. Light, Johnnie Tillotson, David Tillotson, Elizabeth Lingafelt, Jason Orders and Karrah O. Long.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Gretna by Rev. Jonathan Hilliard and Rev. Kristen White. Burial will follow in Carl O. Moran Memorial Garden.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Gretna and other times will be at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Gretna First Baptist Church building fund, Gideon International or the Gretna Rescue Squad.
Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.