Charles H. McAdams

Charles H. McAdams, a longtime resident of White Hall and Pine Bluff, passed away on August 27, 2026, at the age of 86, following a long battle with lung cancer.

Born September 5, 1939, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Charles was the second of five children born to German and Pauline McAdams.

In 1963, Charles married Betty V. Calvert. Shortly afterward, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Munich, Germany. During their time in Germany, Charles and Betty welcomed their first child, Angela, and enjoyed exploring the country and its beautiful castles. After returning to Arkansas, they welcomed two more children, Curtis and Steven. Charles and Betty later divorced.

Charles spent his working years in central and southern Arkansas and traveled throughout the South for his work. He was highly respected for his expertise in HVAC, sheet metal, and boiler-room installation, repair, and operation.

Family was always important to Charles. He treasured summers spent with his children, filled with family reunions, picnics, homemade ice cream, fresh fish fries, camping, hiking, fishing, and trips to Six Flags Over Texas. In retirement, he especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up from his front porch and taking them out for breakfast—often still in their pajamas.

Charles also became a familiar face at Robinson auctions and estate sales, where many people in the community came to know him. He enjoyed the auctions for the things he might find, as well as the coffee and conversations shared with others.

His curiosity and love of learning followed him throughout his life. He became deeply involved in genealogy, tracing more than 200 years of his family history. Later, he taught himself beekeeping and cared for approximately 20 hives, selling honey locally and sharing his knowledge with others. His love of bees earned him the affectionate names “The Bee Man” and “The Honey Man.” He was also an avid chess player who competed in international online tournaments.

Charles is survived by his three children, Angela, of the family homestead; Curtis and his wife, Kay, of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri; and Steven and his wife, Tawyna, of Washington State.

He is also survived by his sisters, Daisy and her husband, Jim Baugh, of Redfield, Arkansas, and Beatrice and her husband, Orville Phillips, of North Carolina; five grandchildren, Rigel, Paris, Christopher, Autumn, and Austin; and six great-grandchildren, with a seventh expected soon.

Charles will be remembered for his hard work, independence, curiosity, love of family, and friendly nature. He leaves behind not only his family and friends, but also the many people whose lives he touched through his work, hobbies, and everyday interactions.

In accordance with Charles’s final wishes, he will be cremated. His family will gather privately at his White Hall homestead, where a memorial tree will be planted in his honor. A headstone will be placed at the family plot in Hurricane Creek Cemetery in Kosciusko, Mississippi. The memorial tree will stand as a lasting reminder of Charles and the life, love, and memories he leaves behind.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.