Charlie Doss Eason

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10 It was in the fall of October 14, 1917, at the Mt. Morriah Community of Arkadelphia that Louis Doss and Magaline McCauley Eason welcomed a son; they named him Charlie Doss. Charlie confessed his faith in Christ at a tender age. He was a faithful member of Mt. Morriah Baptist Church and attended regularly until he became ill. At the age of 24 on May 1, 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army at Camp Robinson. His military occupational specialty was Hatch Force and he was a qualified Rifle Marksman. His tour of duty included Southern France, Rome-Arno Rhineland, and World War II. His military commitment took him all over this world, and he made friends across every race, gender, faith, and creed; he freely offered wise counsel, gave generously to those in need and inspired everyone who crossed his path. During his tour of duty he received several decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign ribbons they included: EAME Theater Ribbon, three Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Service Defense Medal, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon and the AP Theater Ribbon. Charlie received an honorable discharge on December 5, 1945 and returned home to Arkadelphia. During this time Charlie’s friendship and courtship began with Miss Gilberta Smith. After courting for several years, Charlie and Gilberta were married on January 8, 1949 by Rev. N. B. Bynum. After 36 years of marriage, Gilberta passed into the Lord’s embrace on August 4, 1985. Charlie was a quiet mannered man, cheerful, and was known around town as the “Candy Stand on Wheels”. There was never a time when Charlie wasn’t in his yellow Chevrolet Citation passing out candy, chips and snacks to everybody. Family gatherings and being with his friends was always a source of joy, but his greatest joy was cheering at any sports event whether it is football, basketball, softball, and baseball games. If there was a game going on Charlie was there. His ever-ready presence dubbed him the title of “Arkadelphia’s Biggest Sports Fan”. Throughout his life he was a devoted and committed husband, father, loving grandfather, great-grandfather, faithful & trusted friend. On September 14, 2009, after ninety-one seasons, Charlie surrendered his soul to Christ with his children at his side cheering him home from labor to reward. He was welcomed to his eternal home by his parents, his wife Gilberta; two grandchildren, Traci Eason, Carl Johnson, Jr., and seven siblings Emerson Eason, Willie Mac Eason, Leather Smith, Sarah Johnson, Lillie Eason, Mariah Eason, Mary Pride, and Roberta Alexander. Those left to cherish his legacy of love & laughter are: his children, Prince Lee (Kathaleen) Eason of Malvern, AR, Doss A. Eason of Hot Springs, AR, Joe Ed (Wanda) Eason of Beirne, AR, Fannie (Charles) Horton of Arkadelphia, AR, Tracy (Sandra) Eason of Arkadelphia, AR, and Margaret (Carl)Johnson of Arkadelphia, AR;; twenty-three grandchildren, forty-four great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends and the Mt. Morriah Baptist Church family. How shall we conclude the matter of the life of Charlie Doss Eason? We shall not conclude it, for we understand that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! We shall not conclude it, for we know that Jesus is the resurrection and the Life! We shall not conclude it, for we understand if we too accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we will see daddy again on the other side where he is walking& resting in the arms of Christ Jesus Mr. Eason will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home on Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and share with them the Image of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 16th and Caddo Streets, where Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., is the pastor. A Celebration of His Life and Legacy will be held Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Mt. Morriah Baptist Church where Rev. Vernon Moody is the pastor. Rev. J. L. Newborn, the pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Sparkman, Arkansas will preach the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.