By Taylor Boyd
Former House of Delegates representative Charles Douglas “Charlie” Poindexter died at his home on Wednesday, Feb. 4. He was 83.
Poindexter served in the House from 2008-2022, representing the 9th district, which included Patrick, Henry, and Franklin counties.
He also represented the Union Hall District on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors for eight years.
The House of Delegates adjourned in Poindexter’s honor on February 5.
Will Pace, Poindexter’s legislative assistant for eight years, said his tenure working for Poindexter will always be among the highlights of his life.
“In 2014, I left a dream job in Washington, D.C. to take a chance of working in state government. Charles and his wife Janet, welcomed me like family, and it was like a family. Honestly, I was worried at first (a new job will do that), but I cherished the experience working for Delegate Poindexter, especially making new friends in Franklin County. When I was elected in 2016 to the Chatham Town Council, he provided important advice and lessons to serve in elected office,” he said in a Facebook post.
Pace said he tries to emulate Poindexter, who never asked for the spotlight or attention, but just wanted to get the job done to help his community.
“Virginia would be better off with many more Charles Poindexters, and it is unfortunate that we have fewer people in elected office like Charles Poindexter. I learned so much from Charlie. I will always be grateful to Charlie and the impact he has had on me. I have lost a father-figure, mentor, colleague, and friend. I love you, Charlie, and I am going to miss you. Janet, Sherrie, Walker, his brother Gary, and the entire Poindexter family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless the Gentleman from Franklin County, Charles Poindexter,” Pace wrote in a social media post.
State. Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Moneta, spoke about Poindexter during the February 5 session and described him as “one of the finest men Southwest Virginia ever produced.
“Charlie Poindexter was the real thing. He was a man of deep conviction, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to his community, his Commonwealth, and his country. He was a farmer, an engineer, a father, a husband, and for more than two decades a dedicated public servant who never forgot where he came from and never forgot who he was serving,” he said.
For all his accomplishments on the national stage, which he accomplished with his typical no-nonsense approach, Stanley said Poindexter’s heart was always in the hills of Franklin County.
“He never stopped farming that family land there nearby to my farm in Glade Hill. It was the 1792 Poindexter Family Homeplace. On hot summer days when most of us were staying inside and staying cool in the air conditioning, you could find Charlie out there on a tractor harvesting hay, doing hard work that his father had done before him,” he said.
Stanley said Poindexter wasn’t a politician, but a true citizen legislator.
“His staff would tell you he never changed from the day-to-day when he walked into the General Assembly building to the day that he left and went back to the farm. Charlie always remained true to himself, true to his values, and true to his constituents,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said Poindexter was a dedicated public official whose service to Franklin, Henry, and Patrick Counties lasted more than a decade.
“I enjoyed working with him in the House of Delegates to promote the Republican Party and deliver solutions for rural communities. I am praying for his wife, Janet, his family, and his community as we mourn the loss of a good man, legislative leader, and rural community advocate,” he said.
Stuart Vice-mayor Dave Hoback said he worked with Poindexter during his tenure with the West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC).
“I always found him to be a very cooperative and affable individual. One of the things that I remember about him most distinctly was every year the PDC would develop a legislative agenda that would map out our positions and views and different legislative issues, and would typically invite every member of the General Assembly from the region to attend. I think Charlie came every time, I don’t think he ever missed one, and we were very appreciative of that,” he said.
Hoback said Poindexter was also a straight shooter.
“If he thought he could help you with something, he would tell you that. If he didn’t think he could help you or was not in favor of what you were asking, he would tell you that as well,” he said.
Hoback noted this attitude isn’t always commonplace with legislators.
“Hearing something honest and direct was always appreciated,” he added.
Veteran Service Organization member W.C. Fowlkes described Poindexter as “a mighty fine fellow.
“I was chairman of the Republican Party when he came into the district, and I had the honor of working with him just about the whole time he was here. He was well-liked, well-known, well-accepted, and that just sums it up,” he said.
Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart, said Poindexter dedicated more than two decades of his life to public service in Southside Virginia.
“Charlie was a farmer, a man of deep conviction, and a tireless advocate for the communities he loved, and I ask that you join me in keeping his family in your thoughts and prayers,” he said.
Del. Eric Phillips, R-Martinsville, said Poindexter did a lot for Virginia’s 9th district, including securing funds for the U.S. 58 expansion in the Meadow of Dan area.
“That was a lot of Charlie Poindexter’s work, so obviously, it’s always sad to see someone like that go. He was a good guy who did a lot of good things for our area,” he said.
When he saw Poindexter give speeches, Phillips said he always liked the way he delivered them because Poindexter seemed to become a different person.
“He would really perk up when he gave a speech, and he always … used a little humor. I always thought about that when I thought of Charlie,” Phillips said.
