Charles Kieffer Ross

CHARLES KIEFFER ROSS, SR. On November 23, 2024, Charles Kieffer Ross, Sr. passed into the arms of Jesus. He was surrounded by many of his family and welcomed into heaven by those of his family who had passed before him. Charlie to his friends, but Kieffer to his family, was born to his parents, Kelcie Monroe Ross and Mildred Lois Bird Ross, on April 7, 1929, in Yantis/Quitman, Texas. He lived his entire life in Texas even when offered opportunities to travel/work/live in other states, even countries. Texas boy from birth to passing because all those other places were "too far from East Texas." He was married for 65 years to his wife, Elena Beatrice "Bea" Carlile Ross. They met at age 17 when both had graduated from high school post World War II and migrated from their small towns to Dallas. Charlie living in the YMCA, and Bea in the YWCA. They married before they turned 18 and lived a long and wonderful life. He lived a long, successful, and wonderful life, and left behind a family and friends who loved, respected, and admired him. He is survived by: his baby sister, Anna Laura Ross Bradt; his baby sister-in-law, Sybil Irene Carlile Walker; his sister-in-law Mildred Ross; his preschool friend, Carl Davis; as well as three of his four children: Marian Hope Samworth; Charlotte Kay Ross; Charles "Chuck" Kieffer Ross, Jr. and his wife, Jan Ard Ross; ten of his eleven grandchildren: John Andrew Platt; Lee Ann Kroncich (and her husband Greg Kroncich); Tracy Ross O'Donnel; William Ross Stetson (and his wife, Karie Stetson); Alicia Barrett Surratt; Angela Dee Barrett Patterson; Andrea Bonds (and her husband, Jon Bonds); and Aaron Ross; Justin Ross (and his wife, Amber Ross); Kregg Ross (and his wife, Katie Ross); and Jerry Clark (and his wife, Rebecca); and finally, twenty great grandchildren, thirteen great-great grandchildren, and many, many nieces and nephews that he loved and was loved by. Charlie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Bea, his parents, Kelcie Monroe Ross and Mildred Lois Ross, his older brothers James Douglas "Jimmy" Ross, Kelcie Bird "KB" Ross, older sister Martha Lee Ross Bridges Brewer, younger brother and sister Richard Garland Ross, Sarah June Ross Gorman, and a baby brother George Truett Ross, as well as Jimmy's wife, Billie Ross, Martha's first husband Clarence Bridges, and June's husband, Paul Gorman, also his youngest daughter, Linda Lois Ross Berry, oldest grandson Robert "Bob" Alan Platt, and one great-great-granddaughter, Amelia Rose Sawyer. Charlie had numerous jobs during his 95 years, most importantly, working for Ling Tempco Vaught, a/ka/ LTV, from the time it was Chance Vought until the merger with Ling Electric Company. He retired from LTV after 30+ years. He and Bea moved from Irving to Pottsboro and opened C&B Supermarket in the 1970s. While they owned a store, he also worked at Oscar Mayer for 20 years, and then retired, again. Charlie and Bea left Pottsboro for Palestine to care for Bea's three paternal aunts for nearly 15 years. In 1986, they returned to Texoma, settling in Denison, where he finally retired (for real this time). At this point, Charlie and Bea settled into a life of enjoying each other, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. During this time, Charlie also joined the Masonic Lodge, achieving the rank of 32 degree/York Right/Master Mason. He also was an active Deacon in his churches and proud to come from a family of devout gospel singers and musicians. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Yantis Cemetery. Family and friends will gather to visit one hour prior to service time at the church.