Charlie Fletcher Bradshaw Jr.

CAYCE — Charlie Fletcher Bradshaw, Jr., 76, of Cayce, SC, lost his long-fought battle with COPD and Heart Disease on Friday, September 4, 2009, while surrounded by his devoted wife of 55 years, Barbara Hawkins Bradshaw, and their children, grandchildren and friends.
 
Services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia. The family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall prior to the service from 9-10 a.m. Committal services will follow at 3 p.m. in the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veteran’s Cemetery, 140 Inway Drive (Anderson-Belton Hwy), Anderson, SC 29621.
 
Born in Laurens County, November 8, 1932, he was the son of the late Charlie F. Bradshaw, Sr. and Minnie Stone Bagwell Bradshaw. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; three children, Venetia B. Sharpe (John D.) of Cayce, Patrick D. Bradshaw (Lisa F.) of West Columbia and Michael C. Bradshaw of Charlotte/West Columbia; four grandchildren, Mallory and Sawyer Sharpe, Stephen and Christina Bradshaw; two great-grandchildren, Orion and Raiden Hartgrove and their father, Shawn Hartgrove; sisters, Mary B. Jordan (Vernon), Ellie B. Simpson, Nellie B. Vaughn, special sisters/brothers-in-law: Faye B. Carwile, Thelma V. Bagwell, Christine B. Bradshaw, Bill Cooper (Norma), Lucretia and Bobby Smith, Myrin Erhart, Mary P. Saxon (Jimmy); along with numerous nieces and nephews; the staff and his “Coffee Buddies” at Waffle House #100, Airport Blvd., Springdale; and Susan Love, his special “adopted” daughter.
 
He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Crystal Leigh Bradshaw, sisters and brothers Catherine Cooper, Hazel Cummings, Julie Mae Bradshaw, Floyd H., Ray, Elbert, Colie, Johnny, David, Willie, Eddie and Paul Bradshaw; mother and father-in-law, Paul and Essie Rigdon Hawkins of Williamston.
 
Charlie was raised on a “dirt” farm near Honea Path. He graduated from Honea Path High School and joined the United States Navy in 1951 where he served as a helicopter mechanic aboard many aircraft carriers. In 1955, he left the Navy to work with Sikorsky aircraft maintenance team, Stratford, CT, as an instructor for military bases nationwide for the newly evolving military helicopter fleet. In 1958, he transitioned to federal employment with the 3rd Army Headquarters in Atlanta, GA, with territory across the U.S. at military installations. In 1968, he was assigned to the newly formed 120th Army Reserve Command Headquarters in Columbia, SC, as the Civilian Maintenance Officer, Logistics, with maintenance shops in North Carolina and South Carolina.
 
As a member of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, since 1968, he had served as youth advisor for Luther League, and served on many committees. He and Barbara were Cadet Girl Scout Troop leaders at the church. He loved to brag that he and Barbara had taken more than 65 young ladies to visit Sen. Thurmond in Washington, D.C.
 
A member of the Cayce-West Columbia Lions Club since 1969, his positions included Club President, District 32 Governor, State Council Chairman, Guiding Lion, establishing statewide new Lions Clubs, many local and state positions and was recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. He also served on the Lexington County Library Board.
 
A lifetime member of The State Agriculture and Mechanical Society of SC and Charlie managed the Grandstand area for the SC State Fair for many years until failing health forced him to retire.
 
Following his government retirement, he enjoyed his association with Charwood Country Club working in the pro shop and as a part-time associate with Hertz and budget rental agencies.
 
God blessed Charlie with a “green arm,” allowing him to grow anything he stuck in the soil, growing various trees and plants that he has given away by the thousands.
 
Special thanks for their love and many acts of kindness to Heartstrings Hospice, caregivers, Peggy Barker RN, Farrah Custis RN, Angie Albright RN, Sherrie, Brenda, Yolanda, Bonnie, Pastor Brent and Mike.
 
The family would like to offer grateful thanks to their Pastor, Rev. Paul Aebischer; neighbor, Rev. John White; Paul Kirschenfeld, MD and nurse, Lisa; Rodney Harrison MD, Robert Delphia MD and staff of SC Heart; Benjamin Massey MD, Talley Parrott MD and Tom Edmunds MD for all their patience, kindness and loving care to him and to Barbara throughout his extended illness. Also for all the loving care and support of our neighbors and friends who have surrounded us during our long journey.
 
Charlie’s desire was to rest in the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery, therefore the family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to: The Crystal Bradshaw Foundation Trust, P.O. Box 2044, West Columbia, SC 29171, founded in granddaughter Crystal’s memory in 1986 to benefit children with cancer and their families or Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, 1000 B Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169, or Heartstrings Hospice, 115 Blarney Drive, Columbia, SC 29223, or a charity of your choice.
 
The family is receiving friends at the home, 105 Cherry Lane, Cayce.
 
Please sign online guest book at
 
www.thompsonsfuneral.com