Charles William “Chuck” Steadman
November 11, 1946 – September 20, 2023
A beautiful celebration of Chuck Steadman’s life was held on Tuesday, October 10, at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Flowood. Many beloved church members and friends attended. Father Nevada DeLapp said about his friendship with Chuck, “We just clicked. Chuck was an active participant [in the church]. Chuck was a man with a rock-solid faith, quick to tell you who his Lord and Savior was.” Following the service and interment in St. Stephen’s columbarium, lunch was served, and stories and fond remembrances were shared.
Chuck’s family moved to Jackson when he was in the sixth grade, but he always considered Greenwood his home. Chuck made many lifelong friends in Jackson. He attended Murrah High School where he was a member of the Murrah singers, the band, and participated in many drama productions. After graduating in 1964, he headed off to Ole Miss where he as a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After college, Chuck joined the army and was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland. He completed his military duty as a first lieutenant.
Chuck spent most of his professional career in sales. He successfully represented high- end furniture, textile, gift, and accessory lines in several states – making life-long friends along the way. After many years on the road, he made a career change, managing several Joseph A. Bank stores – a perfect fit for him with his impeccable dress, grooming, and manners.
In 2007, Chuck reconnected with and eventually married a high school, college, and career friend, Marion Francis. She was the executive director of the Anne Arundel Library System in Annapolis, Maryland. Their marriage was cut short by Marion’s untimely death. Chuck remained in Maryland for thirteen years where he served on the library board for nine years. After Marion’s death, Chuck traveled to Scotland on three occasions to play golf and visit magnificent courses.
At the encouragement of his friend, Martha Carr, Chuck moved back to Jackson in February of 2022. He was welcomed by old friends, new friends, and a job at Joseph A. Bank. Although Martha and Chuck were relatively new friends, they grew to adore each other and became almost inseparable, sharing their love of cooking, eating out, shopping, and late afternoon porch sitting. Martha’s brother, Bill, compared them to two well-worn house shoes hanging out together.
During Chuck’s memorial service, Martha described Chuck as warm, charming, quick witted, handsome, brilliant, impeccably dressed, polished, honest, humble, and blunt with a dash of loveable snarkiness.
Chuck had a beautiful singing voice – a cross between Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Ray Charles. Many nights, he and Martha would sit by the piano at Char or Table 100 to hear Martha’s brother, Bill, play. At times, Chuck would cut loose and transform into a Las Vegas style crooner. These times were therapeutic for Chuck and greatly enjoyed by everyone.
Watching him sing was just as enjoyable as listening to him.
Chuck’s time in Jackson was met with some health issues. Martha stood by him through his recuperation from heart surgery, his diagnosis of esophageal cancer, and subsequent surgeries preparing for this fight. They were a team.
Chuck will be remembered for his beautiful singing voice, his daily Facebook posts of beautiful flowers and scenes, his “snarky” sense of humor, and his zest for life. He closed out letters, texts, and calls with a signature farewell, “Blessings.” Blessings to you, Chuck Steadman. You will be truly missed.
