Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

CHARLES MEAD Obituary

MEAD, Charles "Sonny," 81, of Mechanicsville, passed away with ALS on September 25, 2011. Sonny was an accomplished musician. Having won many state fiddler contests made him well known throughout Virginia and surrounding areas. he performed and recorded with several bands, a genre of bluegrass, folk, country, gospel and pop. A pivotal point of his career was performing at the Grand Ole Opry with the Heights of Grass. Given this opportunity enabled him to express himself through the music he loved, on a stage wrought with history of country music legends. He taught violin for years and established lasting friendships with his students. He had many friends because of his sweet and gentle spirit. Among those most faithful and supportive were Paul Sandman and Ray Lumpkin. He is survived by his former wife, caregiver and best friend, Pat Mead; daughter, Debbie Mead; and son, Tim Mead. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with a memorial service conducted at

7 p.m., at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sonny's name to Grace Gospel Chapel, 1201 Spirea Road, Richmond, Va. 23236.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Sep. 29, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for CHARLES MEAD

17 Entries

Randy Grigg

October 3, 2011

Sonny was a dear friend of mine and a great fiddle player, whom I had the privilage to play music with many times through the years. He performed with our band, The Flatland Bluegrass Band a couple of times when we first started in 1991. I never knew a more devoted and accomplished musician. He taught all of us who knew him things about music and life every time we were together. I don't think there was a song he didn't know. Sonny and his fiddle will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Carol Edwards

October 3, 2011

Have Precious Memories of Sonny. He was a good friend and will be greatly missed in Mechanicsville.

Louis Power

October 3, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Mead Family. Sonny was a gentle soul, and will be deeply missed.

Irene Z. Shields

October 2, 2011

Dear Mead Family,
Love and prayers come your way today. Was very sad to hear of Sonny's passing. He was a great fiddle player and a wonderful person. Over my life time I have heard him many times at contests. He played so smooth and with much feeling. May our Lord give you the peace and comfort that you need in the coming days and weeks. God Bless you all. Sonny will be greatly miss by all who knew him.

Dan proctor

October 1, 2011

So sorry that Sonny passed away, but glad he went to that big bluegrass festival in the sky. We sure had a lot of fun picking and recording with George Winn those many years ago. I still got that old black Holf fiddle I bought from you and those fiddle leasons you gave me. Peace to family. Sonny had his three score and ten and then some!

Richard Ward

September 30, 2011

We will miss you Sonny. We had great times together. I will cherish them forever. See ya in Heaven. (I'll be wearing tennis shoes instead of my boots). Love ya Pat, Debbie and Tim.

Richard Ward and Family

William Perritt

September 30, 2011

We enjoyed some fine gigs and fun jam sessions with Sonny. The Heavenly Band just got better. We'll see you there, Sonny.

Love,
William & Denise Perritt

September 29, 2011

Pat: so sorry to hear about Sonny. He
was the best musician and person. Hes
playing his music for the angels now.
May God be with you in your sorrow. If
I can do anything , please e-mail me.
Irene Lancaster Parks, Richmond, VA

September 29, 2011

Thank you, Sonny, for sharing your wonderful God-given gift with us. My prayers are with your family.
Marsha LaBonte, A Virginian living in Delaware

Mel & Dian Hughes

September 29, 2011

Play now with the Angels. I recall the good times we had while playing on the "New Dominion Barn Dance",and while we were both members of the "Bluegrass Braves", also later at the many local jams. Our prayers and sympathies go out to Pat and family

Jean Childress Gainous

September 29, 2011

Pat, my prayers go out to you and your family. Sonny's mother ask me to watch out for Sonny each day as we went to Oak Grove school in south Richmond,VA. I am so proud to know he keep playing Christan music. God bless you and family. Jean Childress Gainous

JOHN GARRETT

September 29, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Keep on Playing Sonny!

Nancy Stout Anderson

September 29, 2011

Sonny will be greatly missed - we already missed him playing with Born Again Country. He was a favorite at the Gospel Chicken House, and also at the Jahnke Road Gospel Bluegrass Jams. He was a wonderful man, and one of the finest fiddlers who ever lived!

September 29, 2011

Now you can play your sweet music for all our special Angels, dear Cousin...Janice Forney Hanks...Richmond, Va.

Nancy (Simmons) Peregoy

September 29, 2011

Oh my goodness, sorry to hear of this loss. I was on that trip to the Grand Ole Opry with the Heights of Grass to see my favorite guys. Sonny was an inspiration to everyone & will surely be missed.

Bobi & Bobby Shannon

September 29, 2011

Sonny,
You were a great friend and what a character. We will miss you and there will never be another one like you.It's a void that can't be filled in the world of Country music. Your talented gift you gave to all of us, will always be remember and those you taught will carry on with pride.Go rest in peace my friend. Your work on earth is done.

Allen Fowler

September 29, 2011

So saddened to hear of the passing of this fine man. I met Sonny back in the late 70's when he was with the Heights of Grass and I immediately knew he was a kind, sincere, humble human being. The bluegrass world has lost one of the finest fiddle players I ever heard and the world has lost a fine fine man. We will miss you Sonny. Make the Lord tap His toes when you play "Bile 'Em Cabbage Down".

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results