Obituary: Dr. Charles Yarbrough, Sr.
Kinston-Dr. Charles Yarbrough, Sr. passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022. He was born in Robeson County to the late Charlie Wesley Yarbrough and Margaret Ruth Averitt Yarbrough on October 13, 1939. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Hazel Hill Yarbrough, and infant brother, Jonnie Yarbrough. Education was the axis upon which the world revolved for Charles. With bachelor and master degrees from Wake Forest University, Charles continued his education at the University of Florida where he earned his PhD in Biology. While his formal learning opened the door for professorships at several universities, he was most proud of his accomplishments as faculty member at Campbell University, Division Chair and Administrator at Wingate, Dean of Academic Affairs at Tarkio College, and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Peace College.
Considering learning to be a lifelong journey, Charles invested in the education of many students who became professors and researchers. The environmental studies in which he participated were often worked in conjunction with graduate studies programs and colleges, such as the five-year partnership he maintained with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. As much as Charles invested in other students, he did all the more for his children and grandchildren.
Having met his wife in the college choir at Wake Forest, Charles and Hazel were passionate about traveling and learning “outside of the book.”. They loved traveling the world and learning from other cultures. They enjoyed traveling across Europe and the Soviet Union, as well as New Zealand and Australia and passed that love of travel and world cultures on to their whole family. Charles and Hazel strongly believed in the value of all people and made it their mission to rear their sons to see no difference in color or race and to be accepting of others at all times. As true partners in life, Charles and Hazel left equal footprints on the world around them, touching the lives of the students they taught and leaving a legacy of love and acceptance for their children and grandchildren. After Hazel’s death, Charles continued to fight for life.
Through years of cancer and kidney disease, Charles still maintained the desire to live life to the fullest. Nothing pleased him more than his daily observance of nature and precious time spent outdoors. The Bible study group he led at church was a weekly opportunity to delve deeper into his own understanding and share knowledge while teaching the gospel.
A service to honor Charles’s life will be held at Gordon Street Christian Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022. The family will greet friends briefly before the service, from 12:30-1:00. Charles is survived by his sons, Charles “Chuck” Yarbrough, Jr. and wife, Margaret, and Brian Yarbrough and wife, Elaine; grandchildren, Charles “Trey” Yarbrough, III., Piper Louise Yarbrough, Garrett Sean Yarbrough, Jackson Reid Yarbrough, and Evan Patrick Yarbrough; and brother Steve Yarbrough and wife, Connie. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Yarbrough’s memory may be made to The American Kidney Fund (www.kidneyfund.org).
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home.
