Tributes

Charlene Marie Close, lovingly known as Charlie, 71, went home to be with her Heavenly Father at 6:42 pm on Sunday November 26, 2023, at her home in Myrtle Beach. She was the loving wife of James L. Close. The couple celebrated 52 years of marriage on July 3, 2023. Born March 12, 1952, in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, Charlie was a daughter of the late Beatrice (Tohm) Williams of Scotland and Charles Williams of North Dakota. As a young girl, Shirley Hyde and the late Samuel Hyde Sr. of Virginia welcomed her to join their family. Charlie was in the 1970 graduating class at Kecoughtan High School in Virginia. Later in life she graduated from Emporia State University in Kansas with a B.A. in teaching. Charlie held many jobs over the years, including insurance for Pennsylvania State Retirement, an English teacher, and most importantly a loving mother, grandmother, and homemaker. Charlie had a passion for traveling, sewing, crafting, and cooking. Some of her most amazing recipes included biscuits and gravy, crepes, and her world-famous Fat City (if you know, you know). She had the most generous, kind, and loving spirit which led to her biggest passion, working in the church. Through the years, and several moves around the country, many churches and congregations were blessed with her service. She had the gift of a beautiful singing voice which she shared with the church choir. She was highly active in women's groups, bible studies, and her most loved, the AWANA youth program. Charlie dedicated her life to living and loving as a strong Christian woman. Her unending desire to make sure everyone was fed, comfortable, and happy never faltered, even into her last days. Charlie held numerous titles: Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother, but her most treasured was CiCi, to her one and only grandson. Charlie is survived by her husband, James L. Close; one son, Matthew R. Close; one daughter, Jamie M. Close and husband, Derek J. Firestone; one grandson, Lucca E. Firestone; three sisters, Brenda Cosentino, Cynthia Pilkington, and Donna Drew; two brothers, Chuck Williams, and Samuel Hyde Jr. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister, Verlie Medford. Following cremation, relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation from 1:00-2:00 pm. and a service to celebrate Charlie's life at 2:00 pm., on Thursday December 7, 2023, at Forestbrook Baptist Church at 2051 Forestbrook Rd. Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Arrangements have been entrusted to Goldfinch Funeral Services. For those who cannot attend but wish to watch the service online, it will be live streamed on YouTube at 2:00 pm December 7, 2023. Visit youtube.com and search "Forestbrook Baptist Church Live Stream" and scroll down to Charlene Close's Memorial Service. The video will remain on YouTube for a few weeks so it can be viewed later as well. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider in lieu of flowers, a donation to Forestbrook Baptist AWANA youth program. Call (843) 236-2224 for more information or visit: forestbrookchurch.com. To access the donation page, click Menu, click Give, and make sure to choose a One-Time payment, choose Miscellaneous Fund and in the Note section type "Charlene Close's Memorial Fund".

Tributes

Charlene Marie Close

March 12, 1952 - November 26, 2023