Charles E. Sterling, 71, of Cypress, Texas, formerly of McComb, died Sept. 17, 2009, at his residence after a lengthy illness.
Funeral services were 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Catchings Funeral Home in McComb, with Dr. David Millican and the Rev. Brent Rutland officiating. Burial was in Hollywood Cemetery.
Mr. Sterling was born Oct. 3, 1937, in Pike County, to Frazier Scott Sterling and Rubye Davis Sterling.
He was a member of South McComb Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He was a Gideon and member of Gideon International.
Mr. Sterling was a retired educator, having taught at Louisiana State University, the University of Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Tennessee and Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he retired in February 2003.
He received an associate of arts degree from SMCC in 1957 and a bachelor of science in electrical engineering with a minor in chemical engineering from LSU in 1961. He received his master’s degree in electrical engineering from LSU in 1963. He earned an educational specialist degree from Mississippi State University in 1973, and completed graduate work in electrical engineering (electromagnetic theory and circuits) from the University of Mississippi in 1972. He completed graduate studies in education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1983.
Mr. Sterling was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Wendell Sterling.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Brown Sterling, of Cypress, Texas; his former wife, LaDonna Spires Sterling of Summit; a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Diana Sterling Tedder and Monty of Satsuma, Ala.; a son, Charles Hampton “Hamp” Sterling of Jackson; a stepdaughter, Susan Cleaver of Dallas; a stepson, William Erwin and wife Betty of Cypress, Texas; five sisters, Frances Walker of Huntsville, Ala., Barbara Evans of Magnolia, Pauline Behlar and Patricia Seale, both of Summit, and Cheryl Foster of Baton Rouge; three brothers, Glenn, Paul and Jerry Sterling, all of McComb; six grandchildren, Courtney Tedder, Sterling Tedder, Alex Sterling, Ford Sterling, Natalie Erwin and Jonathon Erwin; a great-grandchild, Aiden Huwar; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Pallbearers were Kenny Ray Fortenberry, Travis Foster, Mitch Foster, Rickey Sterling, Tim Sterling, Craig Sterling, Scott Evans and Chuck Evans.
Flowers are accepted, but memorials may be made in Mr. Sterling’s name to Gideon International, McComb Camp, P.O. Box 437, McComb, MS 39649-0437
