Charles "Charlie" Burleson

Charles “Charlie” Burleson, 91, of Morganton, NC died unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, August 30, 2015.  Born in Burke County, NC on March 14, 1924, he was the son of the late Commodore Vanderbilt Burleson and Mary Eckles Gillam Burleson.  Charlie was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Morganton where he founded and was president of the United Methodist Men.  He was a teacher and past president of the Aldersgate Sunday school class.  He was a former member of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church in Raleigh and Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte.  He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and retired from Westinghouse Electric with over 35 years of service.  Charlie was a member of the Morganton Rotary Club, was a past president, and was man of the year in 1991.  He was one of the founders of Burke United Christian Ministries Soup Kitchen and Burke Charitable Properties.  He was a past president of the Burke Art Council, a Friend of the Library of Morganton, and was known for his wood carvings.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jeanne Marie Trentman Burleson of the home; children, Charles Trentman “Trent” Burleson of Rumford, RI, Elizabeth Marie “Betsy” Wescott and her husband, George, of North Wilkesboro, NC; grandchildren, Amy Elizabeth Walker and her husband, Bradley, Amanda Marie Wescott, Ana Zofia Burleson, and Elizabeth May Burleson; great-grandchildren, Charles Wescott Walker and Mary Gillam Walker; sisters, Mrs. Jack “Pat” Howell of Morganton and Mrs. Robert “Elaine” Clarke of Lynchburg, VA; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Otis “Betty” Zavertnik of Charlottesville, VA and Mrs. Gillam “Helen” Burleson of Henderson, NC; and many beloved nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Jeanne Burleson; sisters, Margaret Crumley, Mary Louise Motley, and Georgia Bailey; and a brother, James Gillam Burleson.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 until 12:30 p.m., Thursday, September 3, 2015 in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church.  The celebration of life will follow in the church sanctuary at 12:30 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. John Fowler and the Rev. Charlotte Brendel officiating.  A family burial will be held at Burke Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke United Christian Ministries, 305-B West Union Street, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.