The funeral was beautiful. Charlie was so loved. There were maybe 200 who came to the visitation on Tuesday night. Many many people from their OLD church, from over 10 years ago. Charlie's dad died when he was young, and his mom had to go back to work. A lady named Leona took care of him. She had someone drive her over from Louisiana...a cute little old lady.
We met at the Funeral Home Wednesday A.M. to say our last goodbye. Then they closed the casket and took it to the Church. When we filed into the Church, following the casket, it was FULL to overflowing. All 4 of his grandchildren read something, tears flowing freely. Many many people spoke, including adults who had been in Charlie's youth group at the old Church. They talked about the wonderful influence he and Doris had had on their lives. Jerry and Jim both spoke briefly. Our hankies were soaked.
We went in procession to the base for the final tribute. It was a full Military with Honors Funeral. Charlie's casket had been draped with the American flag. After the Air Force honor guard moved the casket from the hearse to the podium in this small pavilion on the base, they retreated to the distance and gave a 3-gun salute. 
Then Taps was played. Then the honor guard folded up the flag with much fanfare. They gave it to the head guy who walked over to Doris, kneeled down in front of her, and very quietly said (I was close-by) "This flag is from the President of the United States who appreciated Charlie's service to his country, and who feels your grief." Not a dry eye anywhere.
I wiped so many tears away over 36 hours that I wore away the skin on my cheeks. It's all peeling looking now. Doris was very strong the whole time. I know she KNOWS Charlie is in heaven, waiting for her arrival.
Charlie was the last of his family. All his siblings were already gone, and they died in their 40's. Before Charlie died he asked his family to stand him up, and holding onto Greg, with Doris and Rhelda hugging him too, and Jim helping to hold Greg, and Charlie up, Charlie up, his head on Greg's' shoulder, and died. It was beautiful. He was holding and loving his family at the end. Greg had asked him at 2:30 that morning, when Charlie said, "I have to go" repeatedly, where he had to go. "Heaven" was the answer.
The earth is a sadder place without him, but Heaven is surely improved.
Alice Jones
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