Charles E. Nesbitt Sr.

1931 - 2023

Charles Edward Nesbitt Sr. of Centreville, MD died peacefully in his home on October 23, 2023. He was 92 years old. A beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, teacher and Hall of Fame coach, Charles touched the lives of all those fortunate to know him.

Born on September 19, 1931 in Statesville, NC, he was the son of Flake Bennett and Ellen (Bratcher) Nesbit and the second of four children. Charles is predeceased by his parents, his elder brother Linwood and the love of his life and wife of 37 years, Shirley (Jackson) Nesbitt. He is survived by his younger siblings Harry Nesbit (Statesville, NC) and Jewell (Nesbit) Gaither (South Plainfield, NJ); son Charles Edward Jr. and daughter-in-law Helen Donnelly (Montclair, NJ); son Sean Alan Nesbitt (Annapolis, MD); grandson Kody Charles Nesbitt; two step-granddaughters Ilona Suzanne and Natalie Marie Toth; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A skilled athlete from an early age, Charles grew up playing basketball, baseball, football and track. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to play wide receiver at North Carolina A&T University, where he also participated in ROTC training. Upon graduation from college in 1954 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, he joined the U.S. Army in 1955, serving honorably for three years in Germany and state side.

In 1959, having completed his military service, Charles left Statesville to answer Maryland's call for new teachers. He began teaching science and physical education at Kennard, Queen Anne's County's (QAC) then all black high school. Soon after moving to Maryland, he met Shirley Ann Jackson, a fellow educator who, like Charles, had recently left her childhood home in Fredericksburg, VA in search of new opportunities. They married on December 29, 1963 and set about making Centreville their forever home.

Charles worked tirelessly to overcome the reality of "separate but equal" at Kennard to ensure every student he taught and athlete he coached had an opportunity to succeed. In 1964, Nesbitt convinced the QAC school board to allow interracial competition between Kennard and the other all-white schools within the county. When the desegregated QAC High School opened in 1966, Nesbitt became the school's track and cross country coach. He led QACHS to their first-ever Bayside Championship, and started the indoor track program in 1979. He continued to coach well after he retired from teaching in 1998. In recognition of his many coaching achievements, he was inducted to both the QA and MD State athletic "Hall of Fame".

An avid gardener, golfer, hunter, fisherman, BBQ master, handyman and perennial jokester, Charles spent his retirement years always on the go. He was an active NC A&T alumni, often traveling to home games and hosting renowned tailgates. He continued in his civic duties, serving for many years on Centreville's Town Zoning Committee, the QA Republican Central Committee, and as an active member of the American Legion and V.F.W. Post. In 2022 at their annual Gala, Charles was the Kennard Alumni Association's honoree, citing his 38 year teaching career and the instrumental role he played in the restoration of the old Kennard H.S into the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum.

Visitations will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home in Centreville, MD on Saturday, November 11, 4:00-6:30PM, and Sunday November 12 from 12:00 - 1:00PM.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday November 12, at 1:30PM at Centreville Methodist Church. A Burial Service with military honors will be held at the Eastern Shore Veteran's Cemetery in Hurlock, MD on Monday, November 13 at 12PM. For additional service details and online tributes please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the:

Charles E. Nesbitt, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, for more information please visit https://gofund.me/b6a1980c.