Charlie Justice
May 18, 1924 ~ October 17, 2003
Resided in:
Cherryville, NC
Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice, 79, of 301 Roy Eaker Road, Cherryville, NC, died Friday, at his home.
Mr. Justice was born May 18, 1924, in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Parley Whittington and Nell Foster Justice. He was also preceded in death by a son, Charles Ronald Justice.
He was an All-American football player at UNC Chapel Hill and graduated in 1949. He also played professional football for the Washington Redskins. He was a Navy veteran OF WW II and was owner of Justice-Crews Insurance Company in Cherryville. He was a member of the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Shelby.
Surviving are his wife Sarah Hunter Justice; a daughter, Barbara J. Crews and her husband Billy of Cherryville; three brothers Joe Justice of Geneva, FL, Bill Justice of Clearwater, FL, and Neil Justice of Conyers, GA; two grandchildren, Emelie Pope and her husband Dustin and Sarah Flower and her husband Jody, and a great-granddaughter, Jalie Creech all of Cherryville.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Monday at the Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, with the Very Reverend Todd Donatelli, the Rev. Dr. Eugene McDowell, and the Rev. Marie Cope officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Episcopal Church, Fletcher. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the 1946 - 1949 UNC football teams.
His family will greet friends at his residence all day Saturday and again immediately following the committal at Calvary Episcopal Church Parish Hall.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or to the Justice Era Endowment Scholarship, PO Box 2446, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue, Asheville, is in charge of the arrangements.
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May Loving memories of ‘Choo Choo’ bring peace and comfort to ease your sorrow.
For the memories that you cherish, will always be in your heart.
I’ve never got to know you, but through your family and Jalie (my step Grand-daughter) all I’ve heard is priceless! Jalie is so Blessed to have such a wonderful Great Grandfather. Our thoughts and Prayers are with your family.
Sincerely,
Jean Carole Parker and family
I saw Choo-Choo play when I was eleven years old. He was my hero. I graduated from UNC in 1960.
My sincere condolences to the Justice family! I was 10 years old when I saw Charlie play his first game (14-14 tie against VA Tech). Like legions of other Tar Heel fans, I followed his career with great interest. He was a MODEL hero for children of my generation. I know that he is continuing his runs in the Carolina Blue skies of Heaven. May God bless and comfort all of you!
Deepest sympathy.
Dear Sarah and Family, All the LEHS Class of 43 are distressed to hear about Charlie. We are so happy we were able to call you two at our 60th Reunion on May 18, 2003 and so many were able to talk to Charlie. Regardless of age, health, or any other circumstance in life we are never ready to give up our loved ones. The only comfort comes from a real Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of caring friends. Please know we are thinking of you and May The Lord Our God Hold You Closely In His Arms Now and Always. Joe Clark
Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Choo Choo’ was one of our family’s most special heroes. I regret not having the occasion to get to know our cousin better during these later years. I remember, as a small child, going to Chapel Hill to see one of Charlie’s games. I remember wondering why football players put that black stuff under their eyes that made them look to me like racoons. I have a picture of me, age 4, with my mother, Caryl Lewis Crowder, and my grandmother, Charlie’s aunt Cly Justice Lewis, standing on the porch of his apartment when we went to that game.
My deepest and most sincere condolences to all the family and to Charlie’s many friends. I am so sorry that I could not be with you at this time of sorrow. God’s peace to all.
Bob Crowder, Stuart, FL
AS A YOUNGSTER I SAT AND LISTEN TO EVERY CAROLINA FOOTBALL GAME ON RADIO, LATER I HAD THE CHANCE TO TALK WITH HIM ON A BUS TRIP AND LATER MET HIM AND TALKED FOOTBALL IN GREENSBORO. THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
Dear Barbara,
I was so sorry to hear of your dad passing away. I just wanted to let you know that you and the family are in Amanda’s and my prayers.
Love,
Betty
CHARLIE,THANKS FOR THE BUSINESS & PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP… MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS.
My sympathy to all of Charlie’s family
Bill:
Thinking of you!
Bob & Eleanor Riel
Palm Harbor, FL & Lake Junaluska, NC
My father, who also died at 79 in 1996,in an article about him
when he retired from Duke Power
‘Harrell still enjoys all spectator
sports but thinks it was better in the 50’s before there were as many
teams involved. He said ‘Back then I couldn’t wait to watch the Washington Redskins and see ‘Choo-Choo’ Justice in action.’
I now know who ‘Choo-Choo’ Justice
is and want to express my condolences on behalf of my dear
beloved father.
Charlie Justice was my first and all-time leading athletic hero since I saw him play at Carolina in 1948. I appreciated just as much, however, the modest and gracious manner in which he dealt with his celebrity and his continuing loyalty to and enthusiasm for his alma mater. He was a wonderful living representative of the University and of our State.
May God wrap His loving arms around each of you & give comfort that only He can give.I had the privalege to meet Mr.Justice a few years ago after a game in Chapel Hill.He seemed more excited to meet me as I was to meet him.
My prayers are with you.As each year passes,football in Chapel Hill will always be nearer & dearer to me because of great men like Choo-Choo Justice. He was one who believed in the game & always made the skies a little more Carolina Blue.
Love in Christ,
Rita Bailey
#1 Tarheel Fan from Chester,S.C.
Iwas sorry to hear about your loss.
Charlie was always good to me when he would visit the Woosters. I hope you remember me as I used to play with Ron and Barbara when we were kids(I lived next door to Thelma Wooster). I feel terrible about not knowing about Ronnie’s passing. We all should keep up with each other better in this life. Take care and I’ll be thinking about all of you.
Jack
My father, Mr. June Glenn, Jr., former chief photographer at the Asheville Citizen-Times, was very priviledged to count Charlie as one of his friends and to have followed his career and professional life for many years. We always looked forward to seeing you all at Grandfather Mountain for sepcial occasions. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this time. May God grant you peace knowing Charlie is from the Alzheimer’s and other problems. June Glenn, Jr., Marsha Glenn Stafford
Charlie left a legacy that was so much bigger than his football career at Carolina. He defined what it meant to be a Carolina Man. I will always remember the class, dignity, and humility that Charlie demonstrated his entire life. He was, simply, the Greatest Tar Heel of them all.
Class of ’77
One of my proudest moments was being initated into the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at Chapel Hill with Choo-Choo. My condolences to his family.
Sarah & Family,
Our father, Art Ditt (former UNC fullback, Marion and Owen coach) had a long association with Charlie. I fondly remember ‘Carolina men’ like Coach Jim Tatum and Ernie Williamson, Charlie and Art talking x’s and o’s over dinner at our house while on scouting trips to WNC. We all can ‘see’ them playing today on a golden field under Carolina Blue skies. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Thomas & Shirley Ditt (Raleigh) & David Ditt (Marion).
Mrs Justice:
I wish to extend my sympathy to you and your family. Charlie Justice has
been my hero since he was at Lee Edwards. I am 5 years younger than he but have wished all my life I could be like him. Besides being the greatest football player I have ever seen, he was always friendly and open when ever I would see him.
He is a wonderful man in every way.
I share your sorrow. Best wishes,
Chic Webb
Charlie was one of my childhood heroes. His life on the football field was the talk of all aspiring young football players. He was one of the few men who knew how to be an example on and off the field. Too bad we don’t have more like him. A legend has left us; but he will be remembered for years to come.
I had the pleasure of teaching Barbara in the eighth grade at the old Valley Springs Elementary School. If memory serves me correctly, you folks lived on Ridgefield Rd.in Biltmore Forest.
Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings on all of you,
Charles Koontz
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Mr. Justice’s family. Tommy was able, on numerous occasions, to play golf with Mr. Justice and Mr. Bones McKinney, and he has many fond memories of those times. Denise was able to tag along on one occasion and was made to feel so comfortable among the gentlemen. Mr. Justice was a sweet and wonderful man who we will miss. We thank Mr. Justice for those memories. Our prayers are with you all.
God Bless!!
Formerly from Wayneville, NC. Watched many football games of UNC
& Redskins that Charlie played in.
Later met him in Asheville thru business.
dear sara,neil,and all the rest of the family,i was sorry to hear of charley’s passing away.i remember him first from sandlot football days even before we went to david millard! i didn’t see him very often in late years except now and then at a basketball game or some other sports event but i kind of kept up with him through mutual friend and acquaintances.i have only good memories of him.may he rest in heaven.
Dear Mrs. Justice and Family –
My sincere sympathies at this most difficult time. Though I was a Tar Heel (’68), I never met Charlie until ’93 when I was the MC for a program here in Asheville with Dean Smith, Hugh Morton, and Charlie. When we met I told him about growing up in Canton and knowing his brother Jack, who was the Executive Director at the YMCA and his niece, Jackie. As a kid Jack had told me stories about Charlie’s persistance and drive.
Charlie made me feel like I had known him forever as we talked about Jack and his influence on so many kids in Canton during the 50’s, and also his positive influence on Charlie. We had a great time talking together. Jack and Charlie were both extremely proud of each other. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. – Richard Hurley
My deepest sympathy to you, Sarah, and to all of Charlie’s family. We will miss him.
Jalie . We remember your great- grandfather as a great ball player. We are so sorry that he has passed away. We know you will miss him. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family Love, Uncle Glen and Aunt Elsie Chaney
C.C. Justice was an idol for me and inspired us to achieve whatever we commit to do
Sarah, Barbara, Billy and Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Charlie was my hero from the age of 6 and he will always be my hero.
Our love, always.
Jack and Marla Hilliard
Greensboro