Charles Hamilton Whitledge

Charles Hamilton Whitledge “Whit”, longtime Salem resident, passed away on Monday July 28, 2025, at Sycamore Spring Senior Living in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Whitledge was born November 10, 1924, in Vandalia, Missouri to Charles Boyd and Marguerite (Hamilton) Whitledge. A child of the Great Depression, he, along with his mother and sisters relocated from Missouri to California where he worked on a farm and later graduated from Los Angeles High School.

He entered the army during World War II and was stationed in Burma and India. He served as an American Soldier with the British. Later he became an officer with the Transportation Corps.

His military career continued after the war through his service during Korea, Vietnam, and WWII. He retired a full colonel after 28 years.

He earned his doctorate degree in education from Florida Atlantic University after retiring from the military and taught at the university before fulfilling a lifelong dream of moving to the Ozarks. As a child, an uncle told him repeatedly that the best life a man could hope for was to live on his own farm in the Ozarks, where his son and daughter-in-law, Hugh and Jane Whitledge maintain the property.

He married Angeline “Ann” Coleman, who he still lovingly describes as a military brat. The two were married more than 50 years, retiring to Salem in 1977. She passed away in 2009.

He and his mother, Marguerite Whitledge, Ann and Hugh all were baptized at Salem church of Christ after locating here. He and Ann later became members of Wheeling church of Christ where he often taught Sunday School.

As to living to be 100, Charles was surprised. He had expected to be called home earlier. “I don’t know why I’m still here,” he said, confessing that he prays to the Lord daily to go home to the next life.

He was in good health for someone 100. He had quite the reputation at Sycamore Springs for his love of Hershey bars and Baskin-Robbin's ice cream. He kept a cup full of Hershey pieces with him at all times.

His son and daughter-in-law, grandsons Nate Whitledge of Frisco, Texas and Will Whitledge of North Little Rock, and longtime friends Mary and Howard Burris of Salem enjoyed a roast beef birthday lunch and joined the staff and residents in singing Happy Birthday as his cake was wheeled out to the table to celebrate his 100th birthday in November 2024.

After eating a big piece of cake and opening one present, Whitledge asked to look at his many cards and other gifts in his room. He seemed a bit overwhelmed. 

He had received cards and letters from many people, including distant friends and family, the adult class and the children’s class of Salem Church of Christ, Fulton County Judge Kenneth Crow and the Fulton County Road Crew.

He leaves to mourn his passing son, Hugh Whitledge (Jane) of Salem, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Nathaniel Whitledge of Frisco, Texas and William H. Whitledge of Little Rock, Arkansas; many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters (Rosalie and Elaine).

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday August 2, 2025, at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas with Bro. Mike Yates officiating. Visitation will be 12:00 P.M. until time of service on Saturday August 2, 2025, at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas. Interment will be in the Salem Cemetery in Salem, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to the Agape Food Room in Salem, Arkansas. Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas.