We first met Charles in May of 2007, he was a groomsman in our daughter Jessica and Arneal wedding. Charles had this warm, charming, engaging personality with a great smile that makes you feel as if you have known him all your life. Over the years we exchanged Christmas Cards, text
messages, an occasional visit thru Omaha, Dallas Cowboys games and of course we attended Charles and Marie’s
wedding.
On March 5, 2017, me my wife, both of our daughters and one of our granddaughters were traveling back to Omaha after attending my brother’s funeral. Just before 10:00 am on a wet highway just outside of Mena, Arkansas, we hit a deer. The damage was severe, but our family was safe. The local police and a tow service got us to the town and to a local hotel. Arneal called Charles and explained our situation. Even though Charles was out of town on a business trip he was on his way to get us. Several hours later and literally a drive across the state, Charles arrived at our hotel and drove us to a car rental place where we continued our trip back to Omaha. Despite all the things we were dealing with that day, Charles getting there to help us, made us feel like “family”. His act of care and kindness that day will forever be a part of our lives.
We are all better and blessed for having crossed paths, with Charles Balentine.
Thank you,
Marie and family, for sharing him with all of us,
Awilda and Craig Jacobs
Arneal and Jessica Long and family
Jayson and Nicole Enke and family