Charles Edward Testerman

Charles Edward Testerman, of Moneta, VA, born September 7, 1936 in Grayson Co., Virginia, was the eldest of John and Jincy Testerman’s ten children. Charles passed away at 88 years of age on December 15, 2024.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his dearly loved wife, Barbara, and two of his siblings, Norman and Johnny. He leaves behind two daughters, Debby Richardson and Donna Testerman, four grandchildren, Amy, Nicolas, Sophie and Claire, two great grandchildren, Arthur and Oriane, and a well-loved and loving extended family. He is survived by seven siblings, Joe Testerman, Dorothy Testerman, Pat McGrady, Ralph Testerman, Madge Rash, Ann Lewis, and Jerry Testerman.

Charles was a graduate of Gaston Technical Institute, was a US Navy veteran and spoke of those years as a “pleasure cruise” where he saw the world and got a start in his profession; his career in telecommunications took him around the world. Charles took great pride in a freshly mowed lawn and immense pleasure in a well-tended garden.

Charles enjoyed camping with his family and boating and water skiing with his family and friends. He took his family on a camping trip up the East Coast to Canada, another to the Gulf Coast of Florida, and several shorter stays on the Eastern shoreline and one trip to the Smokey Mountains where a bear decided to “share” their provisions.

Charles had many interests – he played on the company baseball team and took Debby backpacking on the Appalachian trail. When he moved to Winston-Salem, Charles finally had a spot to carry on his mother’s tradition of raising vegetables which provoked the envy of his co-workers. One of the joys of these years, before retirement, was his first grandchild Amy, who was born in 1980. Some of the nicest photos in the family album are those of two-year-old Amy “helping” build their lake house.

During his retirement years, Charles spent summers at his home on the shore of Smith Mountain Lake and winters in Quartzsite, Arizona, soaking up the sun of the Sonoran desert. Charles crossed the United States more than 20 times in his motorhome towing his pickup full of his tools.

Charles was a multi-talented man, a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber, a gardener, an electrical engineer, a singer, an athlete, a mechanic, a tree-cutter, a draftsman and an accomplished letter writer. His friends, family and neighbors all admired his talents.

Charles often said, “if we have a choice, we would all choose to die in our sleep” and this was the blessing bestowed upon Charles on his last day.

In keeping with Charles’ wishes, there will be no service.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family.