Charles Edward Gaskins Jr.

Charles Edward “Ed” Gaskins, Jr., former dairyman and farmer in Churchland, (Suffolk) died on June 6th, 2015. He was born in Staunton, VA, to Margaret Oliver Gaskins and Charles Edward Gaskins, Sr. formerly of Suffolk, VA. Raised in Nansemond County, in Hobson/Chuckatuck, then in Norfolk County in Cradock, he lived most of his adult life just outside of Churchland in what is now Harbour View. Upon the 1988 sale of his farm and dairy, he retired to Portsmouth, where he lived until finally moving in 2010 to the Chesapeake in Newport News, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, by a younger brother, Lloyd E. Gaskins, Sr., and by a younger sister, Margaret Gaskins Evans of Portsmouth. The oldest of five siblings, he is survived by his wife of 63 years, Audrey Oast Gaskins; two sisters: Jacqueline Gaskins Scott of Decatur, GA, and Genevra Gaskins Burgess of Heathsville; three children: Dr. Charles E. Gaskins III and wife, Donna of Richmond, Robert O. Gaskins and wife, Terri of Chesapeake, and Virginia Gaskins Videll and husband, Jim of Virginia Beach; six grandchildren: Christie Gaskins Farrell and husband, Peter and Katie Gaskins all of Richmond, Stephanie and Philip Gaskins of Chesapeake, and Kyle and Logan Videll of Virginia Beach; along with many nieces, nephews, and their children. Mr. Gaskins served as Senior Class President of the 1940 class at Churchland High School. He attended R.O.T.C. at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and then was drafted and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery during WW II. His subsequent tour of duty included the post-war occupation of Tokyo, Japan. Returning to Virginia, he resumed farming with his father and served on the Southern States Cooperative Norfolk County Board of Directors. He also was a Past-President of the Jolliff Ruritan Club in Chesapeake. Mr. Gaskins was a 1938 member of Churchland Baptist Church, and previously was chair of their Board of Deacons. He also was a past-chair of the Cemetery Committee, chair of the House and Grounds Committee, Building Superintendent, and for 15 years taught the Men's Fellowship Sunday School Class. A graveside memorial service will be officiated by the Rev. Lawrence B. Coleman at Churchland Baptist Church Cemetery on Thursday, June 11th, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cemetery Fund, Churchland Baptist Church, 3031 Churchland Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23321.

Charles Edward Gaskins Jr.

June 6, 2015