Charles L. Goodnight

Charles L. Goodnight, 72, of Morganton died Tuesday, November 27, 2012 following a brief illness. Born in Burke County, NC on January 4, 1940, he was the son of the late Dale Leonard Goodnight and Annie Mae Harmon Goodnight. He was an active member of Salem United Methodist Church, having served as an usher.Charles was a veteran of the U.S. Army. After his time in service he worked as a meat-cutter at Morganton Food Store and then worked at Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. In 1973 he began trucking. He drove trucks for numerous trucking companies including Dickinson Hauling and Grading in Hickory. He enjoyed yard-work and gardening.Charles is survived by his wife, Dian Gassmann Goodnight of the home; a son, Michael Goodnight and his wife, Emma, of Hickory, NC; a brother, Gary Goodnight of Morganton; and sisters, Billie Sue Duckworth and her husband, Kenny, of Morganton and Patricia Krewson of Newport, NC.In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by a sister, Soundra Kay Hoyle.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 30, 2012 at Salem United Methodist Church with the Reverends Mark Conforti and Donald Freshour officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center, where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour.Memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 1206 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655.