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Charles Sills Obituary
His life began Nov. 20, 1940 in Raleigh, N.C., born to Salona and the late George Sills. He was a 1960 graduate of George P. Phenix High School and a 1964 graduate of Hampton Institute (University). Charles began his career at George Wythe Jr. High School, continued at Phenix High School, and retired from Bethel High School in 1996, after 32 years of teaching art. He also worked at the Newport News Juvenile Center, Thomas Nelson Community College and the Hampton Center for the Arts and Humanities. Charles was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He enjoyed traveling, painting, collecting giraffes, and spending time with family and friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his brother, Ernest Sills; his sister, Betty Sills; and his grandmother, Elmeta Grant.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Tiffani Sills Brown (Stephen L.); and grandson, Miles Brown of Ft. Washington, Md.; his mother, Salona Jenkins; and sister, Shirley Johnson of Hampton; his brothers, Harold Sills of Del Rio, Texas and James Sills of Queens, N.Y.; his caregiver and best friend, James Young of Suffolk; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Charles may be viewed noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th St. NN, VA. 23607. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the funeral chapel, along with visitation one hour prior to service. The family will also receive guests at 1436 Aberdeen Road, Hampton. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cookebros.com
The final care of our loved one has been entrusted to Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Sills
doug smith
August 12, 2023
My heart is flooded with fond memories when I think of Charles and I'm always thinking of him as my high school classmate, special friend and someone who really knew his way around a dance floor. ---- doug 'diddy wit' smith
Kerri Thurman
August 26, 2008
Tiff: Please accept my condolences as I just learned of your Daddy's passing. The last time I saw you, I saw him: at a Bethel Homecoming game around 2004. He was selling tickets and you were right by his side. He will always be near in the spirit. Embrace and cherish his memory. I love you and God strengthen you and your family in this time.
Charolette Price-Wilson
August 22, 2008
I was also a student of Mr. Sills' art class at George Wythe. He was a caring, neat, and great artist and I learned a lot from him. To the Family, I express deep sympathy and pray that God will continue to richly bless, comfort, and give you peace during this time.
Nettie & Larry Orie
August 21, 2008
Tiffani, I just learned of your father's passing yesterday. Please accept my deepest condolences. Just remember that there are many who care about you and pray trhat God will ease your hurt one day soon.
Pat Land-Moody
August 21, 2008
Charles and I graduated from George P. Phenix High School, class of 1960. He was a caring friend, great artist and fabulous dance partner. My condolences to the family . He will be missed by so many caring friends.
Kim Raney-Shackleford
August 20, 2008
Tiffani, my prayers and thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. You may not remember me, but we used to play together as children at Wesley Grove UCC. We went to each other's birthday parties and you always entertained me while my grandparents visited with your's. I can still remember your father's great art displayed throughout the house he designed off of Todd's Ln. He was truly a man of talent and great taste. God bless you and your family.
Linda Jones
August 20, 2008
Tiffani,
I am saddened to hear of the death of your father, Charles. He was a good friend while he was here at Bethel and after he left. I am happy to have had the opportunity to visit him during his illness and know that he was indeed a fighter.
Charles had a great personality and will surely be missed.
Linda Jones
Denni Maclin
August 19, 2008
Mr. Sills was my student teacher at Phenix High School in the 60's and he made me feel that I could do anything on canvas. I believed him and today I have him to thank because my art career has brought me much happiness. I did have a chance to tell him about the influence he had on me when I saw him years ago at Hampton's Homecoming. He was proud of me. What a fantastic teacher, fantastic person, and the nicest man I have ever known. He was a rarity. May God bless his family and friends.
Lisa Kollore
August 19, 2008
Tiffani and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My prayers of comfort and peace have been lifted for you and your family. God bless you all.
Kimberly Jordan Croslin
August 19, 2008
Tiffani,
I extend my deepest heartfelt sympathy to you during this time. As Mr. Sills moved through Bethel's hallways, he was ever the example of talent, cool, class, and style! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Jordan Croslin
BHS class of 1986
Lisa Kollore
August 19, 2008
Tiffani and family,
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My prayers of comfort and peace have been lifted for you and your family. God bless you all.
Karen Samuels Manley
August 19, 2008
Mr. Sills was one of my teachers at George Wythe Junior High School. He was very creative and he made Art interesting. He was a "one of a kind" teacher. May God continue to bless your family during this very difficult time.
Brian & Kristen Taylor
August 19, 2008
Tiffani and Family,
Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father. May God continue to strengthen you and your family each and every day. We will continue to lift your family up in our prayers.
April Barber
August 18, 2008
Tiffany and family:
My heart felt sympathy on the passing of Mr. Sills. My prayers are with you.
Sherlock Bruce
August 18, 2008
Mr. Sills taught me art when I attended George Wythe Jr. High School. He was always neat and enjoyed teaching art. My sincere condolences are extended to the Sills family.
Min. Freda McPherson-Watson
August 18, 2008
My condolence to the family on the passing of Mr.
Sills. He was my art teacher at George Wythe. I wil
alway cherish the memories of the days I spend in his art class. My prayers goes out to his friend and family.
Minister Freda McPherson-Watson, Suitland, Maryland
Kristen (Harris) Taylor
August 18, 2008
I have known Mr. Sills since I was a young child. He went to the same High School as my dad Clayton Harris and I remembered him teaching at Bethel High. I remember him being a kind and thoughtful person. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I pray that God blesses and keeps each of you.
Tamlin Antoine
August 18, 2008
i am deeply saddened by Charles' passing. I have known Charles since the days of Y.H.Thomas, Phenix High and Hampton Institute and even though our paths have not crossed much since then, I still feel a great since of loss. My sincere condolences to his friends and family.
Tamlin Antoine
Cecelia Alston Grant
August 18, 2008
My condolence to the family on the passing of Charles.I graduated from George P. Phenix along with Charles. He was a good friend of mine and a very caring person.
Cecelia Alston Grant, Conley Georgia
Donna Dixon
August 18, 2008
Mr. Sills was my art teacher at Bethel. He was very serious about art. He taught me great lessons. May God Bless the family.
Carlyse Ford
August 18, 2008
Charles was always and very kind, talented, and thoughtful person. He will be remembered fondly by all.
My condolence to his family and friends for this loss.
Sincerely, Carlyse Ford
Chester Williams
August 18, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived
okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here
is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up
and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were
gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for
me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's
chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life
on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not
be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But
one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a
time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will
give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day
was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the
way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick
him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in
your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember
you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
Ronald Brooks
August 18, 2008
Charles and I were best friends at Y.H. Thomas Jr High and George P. Phenix High Schools. He became the artist that I thought I was going to become and then he entered my field when he designed and built his first house. I was very proud of him. To the family, memories of love and friendship are treasures to carry with you always. I am sorry for your loss.
Yvette Zaepfel
August 18, 2008
I never took art, but Mr. Sills would let my friends and me come into his class during our lunch and talk with friends while they worked on their art. It shows how relaxed he was to realize people could socialize AND do their work at the same time!
Michael Williford
August 18, 2008
I graduated from George P. Phenix along with Charles. He was my friend and we enjoyed many treasured moments together. I shall miss him.
Michael Moses Williford
Nina Harris-Robinson
August 18, 2008
To the Sill Family,
The Bethel High School Class of 1981 would like to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family on the passing of our former Art Teacher Mr Sills. He was a very caring person. May God continue to bless your family and we will continue to keep your family in our prayers.
Bethel High School
Class of 1981
Doug Smith
August 18, 2008
Charles was, and forever will be, a good buddy, a special Phenix classmate ('60) and lifelong friend. He was always so nimble on his feet on the dance floor and so generous with his heart with close friends and others throughout his life. My condolences to the family.
Nancy (Bridges) Davis
August 18, 2008
Mr. Sills was my teacher at Bethel High School in 1982. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family
August 18, 2008
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Charles. I enjoyed working with Charles at Bethel High School. He was a wonderful co-worker and friend.
Bridgette Hughes
Patricia Moore Rodgers
August 18, 2008
My deepest condolences to the family on the passing of Charles. He was a wonderful, warm, and friendly person. May you find comfort in your faith, the concern of friends, and your treasured memories of Charles.
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