Charles David Work, Sr.

Mr. Charles David Work, Sr., 79, of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016, at his home. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016, at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Cleveland, MS. A Rosary will immediately follow beginning at 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016, at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Cleveland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 30, 2016, at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Cleveland with Father Kent Bowlds officiating. Interment will follow in North Cleveland Cemetery. Mr. Work was born in Memphis, TN on June 14, 1936, to Harry Harden Work, Sr. and Catherine Stewart Work. On August 1, 1964, he married JoAnn Zepponi in Clarksdale, MS. He graduated from New Albany High School and joined the United States Army. After serving, he attended Mississippi State University and earned a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Management from the School of Business and Industry. While attending Mississippi State, he served as President of the School of Business and Industry and as a member of the Student Government Association, the Society for Advancement Management, and Kappa Sigma Social Fraternity. He earned post baccalaureate hours toward a Master Business Administration degree at Delta State University in the first MBA class taught at Delta State.
He worked in many positions during his working career such as supervisor, manager, or director. He began his work as a manufacturing plant production supervisor at Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. He later served in various leadership roles at Baxter Laboratories including plant manager at the Cleveland plant and assistant to the Vice President of Manufacturing at the corporate level in Morton Grove. IL. Later, he became Port Director of the Rosedale-Bolivar County Port Commission and he remained in that position for 33 years until his retirement on June 30, 2010. He held the position of having the longest tenure of a Port Director on the lower Mississippi River. In addition to his working career, he served on various committees throughout the county and city. He was President and Chairman of the Board of Inland Rivers, Ports, and Terminals, INC., and the Mississippi Water Resources Association, as well as the Cleveland-Bolivar County Industrial Development Council. He also served as a member of the Mississippi Economic Development Council and the I-69 Coalition. Other committees included: Board Member and President of the Bolivar Medical Center, Board Member and President of Shaw Educational Foundation, member of DSU Foundation Board, member of Cleveland Lions Club, President of the Mississippi State University-Bolivar County Alumni Association, member of MSU Bulldog Club and Fund Donor, member MSU Business School Alumni Association, DSU Green & White Fund Donor, and Member of the 2011 United Way of Cleveland. He donated 25 years to the City of Cleveland by serving as Alderman and Mayor. During those years, he was the Chairman of the Police Committee, was on the Finance Committee, and was part of the Airport Commission. He received many awards and honors including the Chamber's S.E. Kossman Award, 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, 2010 Council #5556 Knights of Columbus Knight of the Year, DSU Gladys Castle Award, 2011 Junior Auxiliary Children's Benefit Ball King, and the establishment of an Endowment Fund for the Delta State University College of Business. Over the years, he volunteered as umpire and coach for the Cleveland Park Commission Baseball Programs; and as a member of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church, he has worked with the youth as an Adult Supervisor in the Catholic Youth Organization, as well as served on the Pastoral council. His service and dedication to our community led many places being named after him such as David Work Drive at the Port of Rosedale, David Work Terminal at the Cleveland Airport, and The David Work which is a boat operated with Jantran. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry Harden Work, Sr. and Catherine Stewart Work; brothers, Harry Harden Work, Jr. and Robert Work; and son-in-law, Andy Belvedresi. Mr. Work is survived by his wife, JoAnn Work of Cleveland; daughters, Melody Work Salley (Jim) of Cleveland, Julie Work Bishop (Ken) of Madison, and Caroline Work Belvedresi of Cleveland; son, Charles David Work, Jr. (Michelle) of Somerville, TN; grandchildren, Stewart Salley, Caroline Salley, John David Bishop, Mitchell Bishop, Hayes Bishop, Mary Scott Bishop, Andrew Belvedresi, Max Belvedresi, Harden Belvedresi, Charles David Work, III, and Luke Work. Pallbearers will be David Stewart Work, Roy Stewart, Corey Work, Robert Lynn Burns, Charles Cascio, Butch James, Ed Coleman, Ancil Cox, Ben Bailey, Paul Janoush, Jimmy Yeager, and Donnell McNeer. In Memory of Mr. Work, the family asks that donations be made to Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church and/or Bayou Academy.

Visitation

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, January 29, 2016
Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Rosary

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Friday, January 29, 2016
Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Mass of Christian Burial

1:00 pm Saturday, January 30, 2016
Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment

North Cleveland Cemetery. N Bayou Cleveland, Mississippi, United States