Charles Edward Leach was born August 1, 1940 in Harmony, NC as the first child of Albert and Earlene James Leach. Charles departed this life for eternal rest on December 19, 2014 at Hospice Palliative Care in Winston-Salem, NC.

Charles attended Iredell County Public Schools graduating from United High School. He was employed with Red and Tan Bus Company as a bus driver for a number of years, and he drove Tour Buses for over forty years. Charles loved deep sea fishing and working in the Community Garden which was sponsored by his church.

Charles was married to Daisy Dolores Richardson Leach for 47 years. He recently moved back home after residing in Englewood, NJ for over 50 years. He never moved his membership from Galilee United Methodist Church of Englewood, NJ, where he served as Pastor's Staff/ Parish Relation Committee, Finance Committee, Church Council, President of United Methodist Men for ten years. He was submitted in early spring 2014 and became a Certified Lay Servant to Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Charles Masonic affiliations were RWP Master of Shiloh Lodge #53, F& AM, PHA, Past District Deputy Grand Mater of the Seventh District, Englewood, NJ, Past Patron of Queen of Sheba Chapter #4 Order of the Easter Star, PHA.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Delores; and six brothers, Walter, Bobby, George, Perry, Collie, and Leonard Leach.

Left to cherish the memory of his life are his children, Sherry (Gary) Speas of W-S, NC, Michael Gillespie of Statesville, NC, Charles (Janice) Edward Smith, Jr. of W-S, NC, and Jamel Jones of Patterson, NJ; one brother, Edward (Debra) Nichols of VA; three sisters, Shirley (Howard) Feimster of Statesville, NC, Eva Leach McWillis of W-S, NC, and Bonnie Muse of Baltimore, MD; sisters-in-law, Edith Jean Dobbins of Harmony, NC, Deloris Leach of Statesville, NC, and Natalie (Jessie) Lewis of Newport News, VA; brothers-in-law, Harry (Margaret) Richardson of Englewood, NJ and Raymond Richardson of Paramus, NJ; along with a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Homegoing services will be held at 12noon Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Saturday at the Chapel.