By Debbie Gregory.
A year before his death, Charleston Hartfield left detailed instructions on what he wanted to happen at his funeral, including playing Johnny Cash and Nina Simone, and making sure no one wore black.
In a computer file called “Charleston Hartfield’s Memorial Service,” the military veteran and Las Vegas police officer who was one of the 58 people killed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, offered careful plans for what to do in the event of his death. In addition to the music and the attire, he expressed his desire to keep it modest- no exaggeration of his accomplishments.
Pastor Jud Wilhite read aloud from the file, which addressed Hartfield’s wife: “Veronica, if you’re reading this, then I have been called home.”
He additionally said that he wanted everyone to enjoy themselves.
“And remember me for who I was. The truth only. None of that stuff about how great I was. Only real stories.”
Hartfield was off-duty when he attended the country music concert with his wife. The Army veteran served in the 82nd Airborne Division and also was a sergeant 1st class in the Nevada National Guard.
In an unbelievably sad turn of events, Hartfield’s mother, Sheryl Stiles, who was in Las Vegas to bury her son, had a heart attack the day of the funeral. She then fell down an escalator at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa and suffered brain damage, the family said.
She was taken off life support over the weekend and died.
“We came to bury my nephew and then the next thing we know, I have to bury my sister,” said Lewis Stiles, Sheryl’s brother.
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