Charles Dempsey

Charles Nathan Dempsey had a lifelong love of stories, both reading and telling them. Whether he was lost in the pages of a book or sharing a tale of his own, storytelling was at the heart of who he was. His final chapter came to a close on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his home in Louisa, Virginia, surrounded by his beloved family.

Born in Portsmouth on March 18, 1938, and raised in Lowesville, Virginia, Charles was the son of Reverend D.S. and Avis Dempsey. He grew up fishing the Piney and Tye Rivers with his father, and later passed on that tradition by taking his grandsons, Tom and Andrew, to create memories of their own. He attended Temperance High School, graduating as the salutatorian. His classmates remained his lifelong friends. From an early age, he was known for his quick wit and humor, never failing to bring a smile or laugh to those around him.

In 1959, he earned a Business Administration degree from Wake Forest College, where many of his fondest memories and yarns- often featuring his Theta Chi fraternity brothers- were made. There he met Eleanor Humphries, whom he called "the beat of my heart," on a blind date. They married in November 1959, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with love and shared dreams. They first moved to Lynchburg and then to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he started his career in Education. He continued his studies at UVA, earning a Master of Education in 1964 and a doctorate in 1972.

He began as an elementary school teacher and went on to serve as principal at several schools, including Greenbrier Elementary (1966-1985), Venable Elementary (1985-1991) and Livingston Elementary in Spotsylvania (1991-2001)- where the library now bears his name.

Charles believed in the quiet power of good people, good tales, and doing the right thing when no one was watching. He never needed recognition- just a good book, a loving family, and the chance to make someone's day better. Yet his impact was profound- he remembered and greeted every student by name each morning, quietly paid for heating oil for families living in the cold, accompanied a student to his foster parents' funeral, and ensured students in need had food and gifts at Christmas. His compassion spoke volumes without ever asking for attention.

Charles was a collector- of books, coins, stamps, and pottery. He and Eleanor traveled far and wide in pursuit of pieces with history, often with their daughters in tow. But his most treasured collection was his family: wife, Eleanor (predeceased him in 2022); daughters, Angie Dempsey, Donna Dempsey, and Laura Sechler; son-in-law, Jeremy Sechler; grandchildren, Tom, Morgan, and Becca Brannock, Andrew Dempsey (predeceased him in 2023), Ellie (Josh), and Jack Sechler; and great-grandson, Jabari Newman- who especially loved when Poppy read to him. He passed down his love of reading, and "Possum Come A-Knockin'" is one of the stories everyone remembers and cherishes. It was family gatherings- especially the annual beach trip to Topsail- that meant the most to him.

His story now lives on in every student he helped, every child to whom he read, every teacher he mentored, and every person lucky enough to sit and listen when he began with, "Did I ever tell you about the time..." You know who you are and that he treasured you almost as much as a good book.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 18; details will be posted on the Woodward Funeral Home, Louisa, Virginia website by August 30. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Charles Dempsey Library at Livingston Elementary or your local food bank.