08/13/2026
Charles G. Hackworth Obituary
Charles Gregory Hackworth, a visionary business leader, dedicated community servant, and devout man of God, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, at the age of 85.
Born in Seattle, Washington, on December 31, 1940, Charles eventually made his home in Chesapeake, Virginia, graduating from Great Bridge High School in 1958. On August 20, 1964, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Rice Hobbs. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on family, faith, and entrepreneurship in Chesapeake.
Charles is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 62 years, Dorothy; his son, Charles and wife ,Wendy, along with grandchildren, Chase (Paige) and Alexis (Jacob); and his son, David and wife, Mary Beth, along with granddaughter, Morgan. He is joyfully reunited in Heaven with his grandson, Mason. Additionally, he is survived by his sister ,Becky (Earle); his sister in law, Judy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.
A proud veteran, Charles served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1967, earning the rank of A1C and receiving the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal.
Charles dedicated his heart to ministry after accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior in July 1952. A deeply involved member and Ordained Deacon at Elizabeth River Baptist Church, he served in almost every leadership capacity imaginable, including Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Director, and Moderator. He held a Doctor of Ministry from Honolulu University and a Certificate from Liberty University's Home Bible Institute. Additionally, he was awarded an honorary degree from Old Dominion University.
His faith took him around the globe on numerous international scripture missions with the Gideons International, distributing Bibles in India, Denmark, Indonesia, Honduras, and Tanzania. Locally, he held a Circuit Court Minister’s Certificate and served compassionately as a Chaplain for the Virginia Beach Police Department, Chesapeake Fire Department, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Charles was a titan in the reprographics, printing, and signage industries. As President of Hackworth Reprographics, Inc., and the Graphics Shop LLC, he expanded his business footprint across the Commonwealth of Virginia and into the Mid-Atlantic States. His dedication to his craft earned Hackworth Reprographics the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award in both 1997 and 2017. He was also honored globally with the George Bukovsky Award, the highest honor in the international reprographics industry.
Charles believed in giving back to the community that gave so much to him. He was a 44-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Chesapeake, receiving the prestigious Hixson Fellow Award. His extensive civic contributions included:
Leadership roles as President of the Greater Chesapeake Jaycees and State Vice President of the Virginia Jaycees.
Charter membership on the boards of the Chesapeake Greenbrier YMCA, Chesapeake Crime Line, and Indian River Athletic Association.
Civic appointments to the Chesapeake Civil Service Commission, Community Services Board, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare Foundation, Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation, and the Southeastern Virginia Community Foundation.
Cultural heritage engagement as a Worshipful Master of Atlantic Lodge #2 AF & AM, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of Confederate Veterans.
In 2019, his decades of community and business excellence were recognized with the Martin Luther King Leadership Award for Business.
The family will receive friends Friday, August 14th from 5 to 7 pm at Liberty Live- Greenbrier, 1801 Sara Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320. A celebration of Charles’s extraordinary life and legacy will be celebrated Saturday, August 15th at 11am also at Liberty Live – Greenbrier.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Mason Hackworth Theatre Scholarship through the Southeastern Virginia Community Foundation (sevacf.org), a cause close to his heart. Please visit grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.
Floral deliveries should be sent to the funeral home no later than 2pm Friday, August 14th.
