Charles David Wise

Charles David Wise, 81, passed away on September 2 at the Community Living Center Hospice , James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center, after a long and courageously fought battle with cancer. Mr. Wise was born in Choctaw County, Mississippi on November 9, 1933. He was the son of the late Guy and Mary Wise. David also was preceeded in death by his brother, Reverend Jerry Wise . He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beverly Shanks Wise; a son, Ralph David Wise of Asheville, N.C.; a daughter, Mary Helen Adair and husband , Drew, of Wallingford, PA; and grandchildren Corey Wise Bauer and husband, Dr. Derek Bauer of Charlottsville,VA, David Paul Wise of Sonoma, CA, and Helen Beverly Adair of Wallingford, PA. He is also survived by two sisters, Carolyn McCuiston of Myrtle, MS and Martha Nell Young of Ackerman, MS, two brothers, James and Dan of Ackerman, MS, and many nephews and nieces. David graduated from Ackerman Mississippi High School. After graduation, he worked for the F.B.I. in Washington , D.C. then entered the Army after which he attended Mississippi State University and received his B.S. degree in only two years. He also received his Masters in Science Education from Mississippi State. David taught at Apopka Memorial High School in Apopka, Fla. after graduation from college. David was then an educator in East Tennessee for over 40 years. He taught science at Ross N. Robinson Junior High in Kingsport and served as Principal of Haynesfield Elementary School in Bristol. He retired from the principalship of Holston View Elementary School in Bristol in 1995. Always a passionate and consumate educator, he served on many education related committees on the local and state levels and served as president of both Kingsport and Bristol Teachers Education Associations. He loved his life as a teacher and principal and had a great impact on many lives in both roles. David was an excellent teller of stories, and his grandchildren and children always delighted in hearing him tell tales of growing up in a family of six children on a farm in rural Mississippi. He will long be remembered for the hours of entertainment he provided for them. He never lost his love for growing things and enjoyed a huge garden for as long as he was able .He was often the 'go to person' for plant advice to neighbors.Travel was also one of his great loves,and he and Beverly enjoyed seeing much of the world. Most of all, he loved his family. The poet Emerson wrote: 'The purpose of life is not to be happy . It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well' David was most certainly an honorable, kind, compassionate man who lived his life well and made a difference, but he was also happy with his life and brought happiness to many others, as well. The family will receive visitors from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 5 at Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue. Services for David will be held at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 6, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastors, Rev. Mark Gooden and Rev. Patty Muse presiding. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Music will be by Steve and Leanna Baldwin. Interment following the funeral services will be at Monte Vista Burial Park. Those who wish to do so may make a contribution to the American Cancer Society in memory of David, 508 Princeton Road, Ste. 102, Johnson City, TN 37601.