Charles Curtis "Sid" Sterling, 81, departed this life on Saturday, April 26, 2014, surrounded by loving family, after a three year long battle with Leukemia. Known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Pappy, he made a friend of every stranger. He will be most remembered for his tender heart, his notoriously happy disposition and his unforgettable mustache. Sterling was born and died in the family home in Naxera, VA. Born December 20, 1932 to Capt. Noah Franklin Sr. and Lillie Ruth Hall Sterling and married December 20, 1953 to Sylvia Lee Suttler of Powhatan, VA, he served for 22 years in the U.S. Navy as an Air Traffic Controller where he reached the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Sterling served in the Korean War and Vietnam, where he served two tours on the USS Intrepid, retiring in 1971. He began his second career at Tidewater Telephone Company in 1972, serving as a Field Engineer and later as a Central Office Technician, retiring after 20 years of service. He served on the Gloucester County Board of Zoning Appeals from 1985 to 2000 and was a charter member of the John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society, serving as treasurer for 18 years. He also served for 14 years as treasurer of the Colonial Virginia Chapter of the Holly Society of America and was a Gloucester County Literacy Volunteer. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, and nine sisters. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia "Mickey" Suttler Sterling, a brother, Bernard Eugene Sterling of Oroville, CA, his son, Michael Lee Sterling (Faye) of Choptank, MD, his daughter, Ruth Sterling-Bradley (Kit) of Preston, MD. Sterling greatly delighted in and is also survived by seven grandchildren, Valorie Sterling Cook (Adam) of Sutherlin, VA, Justin Harrell of Kassel, Germany, John M.L. Sterling (Leigh) of Forest, VA, Allyson Harrell of Salt Lake City, UT, Kaitlyn Sterling and Kendall Sterling both of Choptank, MD, and Sterling Bradley of Preston, MD, two great-grandchildren, Olivea Cook and Aiden Cook of Sutherlin, VA, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 7 to 8:30 pm at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point and a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11 am at Hogg Funeral Home. Sterling's grandson-in-law, Rev. Adam M. Cook, along with Rev. Bill West, will officiate.
In Sterling's memory the family requests that donations be made to Bread for Life Community Food Pantry, 6262 Main Street, Gloucester, VA 23061, Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, VA 23061 or Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P. O. Box 9, Bena, VA 23018.