Charlotte Marie Massinople

Charlotte Massinople, 96, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, surrounded by her children.
Charlotte was born in Washington, DC, on February 19, 1917. She was the daughter of Placido and Maria Caponiti who had immigrated to the United States from Fumedenisi, Sicily. During her early childhood, her family returned to Sicily (Catania) before permanently settling in Washington, DC. After attending Washington schools and graduating from Strayer College, she embarked on a career as a Stenographer with Bell Telephone and Telegraph.
Charlotte was married on September 3, 1939, to her beloved husband of 69 years, Charles A. Massinople. Charles founded Mabscott Supply Company in 1942, where Charlotte served as the first Vice President and Secretary of the company. In addition, she served for many years on the firm’s Board of Directors.
Charlotte was a role model as wife and mother, supporting her family and community throughout the years. Often her role was one of inspiration and ideas, leaving others to be the public face of accomplishments. Her clarity of thought, gentle manner, and eternal optimism is her lasting legacy.
Charlotte was a life-long member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and assisted in the founding of St. Francis School. She was a member of Black Knight Country Club and Glade Springs with her husband. They established the Massinople Memorial Fund at Beckley Area Foundation. Highlighting her contributions to our area, the Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA recognized and honored Charlotte and Charles with the Spirit of Beckley Award in 2001.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Placido and Maria; her husband, Charles A. Massinople; a son, Anthony F. Massinople; and brothers, John, Natale and Frederick Caponiti.
Charlotte is survived by her children, Marion Charles “Mike” Massinople and his wife, Kathleen “Kitty,” of Beckley; Mary Grace Massinople Johnson and her husband, William Parke, of Morgantown, WV; Charles Edward Massinople and his wife, Wilma, of Mars Hill, NC; John David Massinople of Charlotte, NC; Alicia Massinople Scott and her husband, Richard “Rick,” of Pittsburgh, PA; eleven grandchildren, Michael Charles Massinople and his wife, Kelly; Dr. Christina Massinople Park and her husband, Dr. William “Shawn” Park; Dr. David Samuel Massinople and his wife, Sharon; Angela Johnson Ellison and her husband, Ryan; Nicholas Parke Johnson; Chala Marie Massinople; Sam Theo Massinople; William Anthony Massinople; Mia Judith Scott; Cameron Richard Scott; and Natalie Charlotte Scott; seven great-grandchildren, Ryan Charles Massinople; Sophia Eileen Massinople; Michael Kessler Park; Mackenzie Alston Park; Alessia Loren Massinople; Milana Kay Massinople; and Piper Quinn Ellison. She is also survived by Barbara Massinople, widow of son Anthony Fredrick Massinople, of Wellington, KS; two sisters, Alice Sardone of Silver Spring, MD and Stella Staley of Peterborough, NH; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charlotte was attended to and was grateful for her exceptional caregivers in her later years: Rita Wills and Visiting Angels Megan Acord and Bonnie Wright. Additionally, she was assisted by Beverly Gordon and Bill Horton. The family also extends special thanks to Hospice of Southern West Virginia.
A funeral liturgy will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Monsignor Samuel Sacus officiating. A rite of committal will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
Friends may call 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday at the Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, where a Rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m, led by Deacon Don Wise.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main Street, Beckley, WV 25801, or St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, 614 Oakwood Ave., Beckley, WV, 25801.
On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.