Charles E. Hargrave, 90, of Peoria, went to be with his Lord at 2:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at home, with his family by his side.
Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2011, at Laramie Street Baptist Church in Peoria, with the Rev. Jesse Powers officiating. Visitation will also be on Sunday, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the church. Interment will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2011, at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Mt. Vernon.
Charles was born in East St. Louis on December 13, 1920, the son of Inman Ernest and Esther (Gray) Hargrave. He was preceded in death by his parents and three grandchildren. He married Melba Young on October 27, 1940 in St. Genevieve, MO. She survives.
He is also survived by his daughter, Beverly (Bill) Williams of Peoria; son, Chuck (Carole) Hargrave of Ft. Smith, AR; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
In 1955, Charles graduated from Tennessee Temple Bible School. He served as pastor of several Southern Baptist Churches in Illinois and Indiana from 1950-1989.
Memorial contributions may be made in Charles’ memory to Laramie Street Baptist Church, 1611 S. Laramie Street, Peoria, IL 61605.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria.
SHARON STEPHENS |
Preacher |
January 25, 2011 |
"PREACHER" WILL BE DEARLY MISSED BY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. HE IS IN HEAVEN , SMILING DOWN ON HIS FAMILY AN FRIENDS. MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU MELBA, CHUCK AND BEV.
SHARON STEPHENS AND MY FAMILY, MICHELE, RENEE, STEFANIE AND MARK
Greg & Alice Simmons |
Friends |
January 22, 2011 |
We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you. Charles was a Godly man and helped both of us in many ways. God bless you Melba, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With love,
Greg and Alice Simmons
Roberta Koch |
friend |
January 22, 2011 |
My heartfelt sympathy to Melba and the family. I have never met a finer man and Christian. Charlie was the living, breathing embodiment of the word Christian, and my life is better for having known him. I never saw him without a twinkle in his eye and a kind word on his lips....even in recent years when his physical afflictions were challenging to him.
He and Melba were my friends and as dear to me as my own family. I am filled with sadness that he is gone...but also filled with joy in knowing that right this second he is celebrating in heaven with our Lord.
The phrase..."Well done, thou good and faithful servant" is the sum and total of Charlies' life.
With profound love,
Roberta
Sam and Vicki Craig |
Brother Hargrave |
January 21, 2011 |
It was such an honor to know Brother Hargrave. He was the one that intervened in a situation in my life that resulted in a wonderful marriage of 34 years and he actually preformed the ceremony. Then, he honored us by perfoming our 25th wedding renewal of our vows.
He was such an annointed minister of the gospel. He and Melba, his wife, lived a life "fit for the King" and showed us, as young married people, how to "walk through" hard times trusting the Lord.
Melba, may God bless you and comfort you.
We love you,
Sam and Vicki