Mr. Charles Leroy Liddell I. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mr. Charles Leroy Liddell, the First, was born November 26, 1931 to the union of Mr. Ned Liddell and Araminta Gibbs-Liddell in East Carondelet, Illinois. His family relocated to St. Louis when he was a small child. He received his education in the St. Louis Public School system and graduated from the great historic Vashon High School in the Class of 1949. After high school, Mr. Liddell enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War until June 1952. After returning to the United States, he had an illustrious career as a St. Louis City fireman and was one of the first African Americans to integrate the STL Fire Department. He later became an entrepreneur, opening his own grocery store called Liddell’s One-Stop Market on the corner of Semple and Minerva Ave. He remodeled homes and became an interior decorator. He owned an insurance company for several years as well. After leaving St. Louis, Missouri, he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he became a Committeeman of the 10th Ward. He attended the Malcolm X Law School in Chicago founded and operated by the prestigious National Conference of Black Lawyers. Mr. Liddell later moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana where he opened a law practice and became a real estate appraiser, notary public and the President of The Lake Charles Chapter of The Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Liddell was a deeply religious man of faith. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Ruth Lee Liddell in June 1954. This marriage raised 5 children: Earl Fitch Jr., Robert P. Fitch (Mary), JoAnn Liddell Amusa (Walle), Denise Liddell Murphy (Stanley) and Charles Leroy Liddell II. Affectionately called “Diddy” and “Skeezix” by his peers. His nieces and nephews called him Uncle Skeezy. He loved to share his wisdom and inspire people to speak their opinions. A historian and great debater, he passed down many gifts, including his love of music and his legendary “fighting” spirit. He leaves to mourn his daughter JoAnn and a host of relatives: grandchildren Eva, Anna, Chenelle, Geuka, Sharron, Dan III, Stanley Jr., Maisha (Johnny), Demetris, Kimberly, Malena, Felicia, David, Stanise, Steven, Bre’Anna, Bruce, nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and grand nieces and nephews. He transitioned from physical life to spiritual life on September 22, 2020 at 5:00 a.m. at the Gateway Vista Rehabilitation Facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. He will be dearly missed by all.

Mr. Charles Leroy Liddell I.

November 26, 1931 - September 22, 2020