Obituary

Charles "J.L." Meals Sr., 86, of Plainview passed away on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Southwest Regional Medical Complex in Lubbock. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in Lemons Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Willie Ansley officiating. Funeral service arrangements are under the care of Lemons Funeral Home. Open visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 13, at the funeral home. Charles "J.L." Meals Sr. was born to Mary and Manch Meals on Jan. 13, 1926, in Detroit, Red River County. He grew up in that area and graduated from Detroit High School. Charles served in the U.S. Army for several years. Charles and Annie B. McCarty were married in June 1944 in Detroit, and they moved to Plainview in 1952. Annie preceded him in death on June 30, 2009, after 65 years of marriage. Charles farmed all of his life in Hale and Swisher counties and loved to hunt, particularly rabbits. He enjoyed watching baseball and was a fan of the Atlanta Braves. Charles will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Charles was preceded in death by his loving wife, Annie B. McCarty Meals; his parents, Mary Ann and Manch Meals; and his two sons, Alonzo Meals and Charles "Honey" Meals Jr. Charles leaves to cherish his memories his seven sons, Mitchell Meals, Ricky Meals, Ronny Meals, all of Plain?view, Dewey Meals of Tulia, Texas, Lester Joe Meals of Lawton, Okla., Donald Luis Meals of San Diego, Calif., and Julius Meals Sr. of Del City, Okla.; and one daughter, Diann Pitts of Plainview. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends, including Sammie Shannon Sr. and Laverne Shannon and family of Kress. Online condolences may be made at www.lemonsfunerals.com.