Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

Charles passed away on February 10, 2023 at the age of 83, with his wife, family and sweet dogs by his side.

Charles Lewis Ellsworth Shewbridge Jr. was born on September 17th, 1939 in Brunswick Maryland to Charles Lewis Ellsworth and Louise Shewbridge Sr. He grew up in Winchester Va where he met his lifelong sweetheart, Jeanette Hodson who he married on February 14^th, 1959. Charles graduated from Handley High School where he was a member of many clubs and committees, to include managing the football team, he was a member of Glee Club, the Boys Monogram Club for 4 years and selected as “Most Popular” in WHO’s Who of his Senior Class.

In 1959 after he and Jeanette married, he went to work for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers at what was then a top-secret government installation. During that time, he also remained very involved in emergency services in Winchester serving both Fire and Ambulance services.

After completing his work at the instillation, he began his career in Men’s clothing. He started in Winchester at J.C. Penney’s, and then managed a small men’s clothing store. They then moved, with their three young children, to Northern, VA where he was the Fashion Coordinator for The Stag Shop. After five years there, he joined Levi Strauss & Company where he worked for 25 years in their sales and management divisions. He received numerous individual awards as a salesperson. Upon joining the management group, he led his team in continuing to sell record numbers of Levi’s garments, year after year. He retired in 1997 as a Regional Manager.

After retiring, they moved to Ruther Glen, Va where they built a new home at Lake Caroline. They joined Wright’s Chapel and later became involved in the afterschool program for young Children. While at Lake Caroline, Charles served several terms as President for LCPOA. He spent time contributing to the success of C.J.’s Soft Serve with his son while working at Carlton for Men and a Funeral Home in Fredericksburg, VA.  He also held a position for the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy in the Court. He also served as a Commissioner on the Planning Commission for Caroline County.

Charles has always lived his life large, in a manner that was cherished by all that met him. To his family, he was everything. With Jeanette, they led by example, showing their family how life was best lived by being kind, working hard, always be honest but most importantly, how to love unconditionally. He also shared the importance of laughter with all of them.  He was well known for his keen since of humor.

While he will be sadly missed, his family’s ability to flourish in life will be due to the genuine qualities he gave to each of them.  Cherishing his memory are his wife Jeanette Hodson Shewbridge of Ruther Glen Va.  His children; Jean (Mark) Oglevee, Margaret (Robert) Allworth and Charles Lewis Ellsworth Shewbridge III (Sandy).

His grandchildren are Jason (Galin) Oglevee, Amanda (Matt) Fensterer, Courtney (Korey) Flinton, Kathryn Hartzell, Charles Lewis Ellsworth, IV (Chase), Jake Shewbridge, and his step-grandchild, Kirk Allworth and family.

His great-grandchildren are Peyton Jay & Savannah Belle Oglevee and Nash Levi Flinton.

Charles’s life will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, February 17^th, 2023 at Wright’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 8063 Ladysmith Rd, Ruther Glen, VA 22546.

The family appreciates any memorial contributions in celebration of the beautiful life that Charles lived to be made to Wright’s Chapel or Mary Washington Hospice.