Charles Franklin Beadle, Jr.

Charles Franklin Beadle, Jr. 81, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at South Georgia Medica Center. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1944 to Charles Franklin Beadle, Senior and June Elinor Gamble Beadle. Charles moved with his family to Austin, Texas, where he graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School.

He then enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a member and director of bands that represented the United States in Japan, the Philippines, countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and other countries for seven years. He served on the aircraft carriers USS Oklahoma City and USS America.

Charles attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1978 with a Ph.D. in Communication Arts. While in school, he married Jane Fleming Osborn.

He taught at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas and Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond, Louisiana, moving to Valdosta in 1984 to serve as head of the Department of Communication Arts at what became Valdosta State University. He retired from VSU in 2011, having been involved in the creation and growth of the Peach State Summer Theatre and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra.

Charles was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Linda Brown and Leona Paige, and brother, Robert Beadle.

Charles is survived by his wife of fifty years, Jane Fleming Osborn.

As per his wishes he will be cremated and no formal services will be held at this time. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com. The Beadle family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services, Azalea Crematory.