Charles E. Thompson

Charles "Chuck" Everett Thompson, 81, a devoted family man and for many years the warden of the Staunton Correctional Center, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

He was born on August 27, 1944, in Amelia, to the late Elma Marie Thompson Allen and Alfonso Booker. Charles dedicated much of his life to serving others, both as a veteran of the United States Army and as a prominent figure in the Virginia correctional system.

Raised in the Richmond area, Mr. Thompson began his career in corrections in 1967 at the Virginia State Penitentiary as a corrections officer. While working full time, he took college courses and steadily advanced through the ranks. In 1970, he was promoted to a supervisory role, becoming only the second black corrections sergeant in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Early in his career, he came to Staunton, where he served for a time as a corrections officer, captain of the day shift, and later as chief of security when the Staunton Correctional Center first opened in 1976. Over the years, he also worked in a halfway house and served as superintendent at both the Virginia State Prison Camp 30 in Fairfax County and the Haynesville Correctional Center and served for a number of years in the administration of the Middle River Regional Jail in Verona as their Operations Specialist.

Following the notorious 1984 Mecklenburg Correctional Center prison break, Mr. Thompson was appointed to lead the new team there in 1985. During those initial nine months at Mecklenburg, he played a critical role in restoring order and stability. In 1987, he returned as the facility’s warden. He later went back to Richmond in the early 1990s to help oversee the closing of the Virginia State Penitentiary, before returning to Staunton in September 1994 to serve as warden.

Mr. Thompson was widely respected as a fair and objective administrator who valued teamwork, discipline, and professionalism. He believed in running a safe and secure facility for both inmates and officers. He also worked diligently to ensure that the prison maintained its reputation as a responsible and respected neighbor in the community.

Outside of his career, he was an avid sports fan and a devoted supporter of the Washington Redskins. He rarely missed an NFL Sunday or a Saturday college football game.

His legacy will be cherished by his loving wife, Dawn Marie Kelley Thompson; his daughter, Charlya Evette Thompson; his step-son, Daniel Ryan Clawson; and a special cousin, Gussie.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his step-son, Johnathan William Toomey; his sisters, Eleanor and Alice; and a special cousin, Dora Goodwin.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton. 

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM the following day, Thursday, October 30, 2025, also at Henry Funeral Home with the Reverend Michael Turner officiating.