Meadowbrook's 'Golden Girls' leave legacy of support and devotion for student athletes

BYESVILLE − Deborah Charleston was fixture in the crowd, no matter the sporting event, at Meadowbrook High.

Deb, along with her mother, Flo Charleston, and good friend Carol Humphrey, were Meadowbrook's own version of the "Golden Girls" ... only this local trio were die-hard Colts fans and supporters of all the Meadowbrook athletic teams.

Flo passed away in 2019, and Carol a year ago. Now with the loss of Deb on Sept. 7, the Meadowbrook community has lost a treasured group of special ladies.

"Deb was truly one of a kind," said Meadowbrook concessions manager Crystal Dudley, whose children, Tyler and Lynsey, were former students of Charleston. "There will never be another person like her, she was the most unselfish person I have ever met. She really cared for these kids, and it was genuine.

"I know the support from Flo, Deb and Carol will have a lifelong impact on everyone who was fortunate enough to know and love them," Dudley added.

A Way To Connect With Her Students

Deb was a Byesville native and graduated in 1967 from Meadowbrook, where she was in the Majorettes. After high school, she graduated from West Liberty with a bachelor's degree in education. She taught third grade at Byesville Elementary in the Rolling Hills School District, retiring in 2013 after nearly 43 years of teaching.

Deb didn't have any children of her own, and it was out of a desire to keep tabs on and support her students, both present and former, that the tradition of following the Colts' athletic teams for the trio began.

Over the last four decades, they were a familiar sight at Meadowbrook athletic events, cheering on their student-athletes. The trio could be seen in the stands at both home and away games for all sports, boys and girls, be it basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball or football.

They were all in, and they were all about supporting all Meadowbrook student-athletes, coaches, school officials and Rolling Hills School District administration.

While in recent years, the road trips became less common due to health issues – except for tournament games, which they could not miss.

"Deb told me many times she considered all of her former students hers and she wanted to support them and was happy to help out anytime," Dudley said. "I remember one time I was the only worker at a boys JV game and Deb came up to the door offering to help. Even though she wasn’t feeling well she still saw the need.

"Now I told her I could do it and to go sit and watch the game. But that was the kind of giving person she was, if she saw someone struggling she would step in to help."

Doing More Than Their Share

Despite none of the ladies having children in the programs, they took all the players under their wings and supported them in numerous ways.

Flo did what she could despite physical limitations, but Deb and Carol pitched in wherever needed. The pair worked concessions and bingo, along with attending games, both home and away.

They provided pregame meals, sponsored games for live streaming and were always game ball sponsors for boys and girls basketball. The ladies also bought plaques and made up gift bags for all senior basketball players for Senior Night.

They bought shirts from every sport for apparel fundraisers, ending up with quite a collection of game day gear for their beloved Colts.

For big games, and usually always during tournament season, the players and coaches would each receive very popular goodie bags filled with candy and other treats from their biggest fans. They also made up baskets to be auctioned off and would bid on items during Pink Out games for girls basketball. The cancer benefits always had extra meaning and they were right there, lending their time and support.

Plenty of Support To Go Around

While the Golden Girls' main focus was on the students, they also made sure that the coaches, support staff and administration knew they were behind them as well.

Kelly Zehnder, Meadowbrook volleyball head coach:

"Deb was a phenomenal woman that supported and loved the community in which she lived. As a coach, she believed in me and all of the young women that have come through my program. Throughout the years, she would send both my girls and myself encouraging messages and spirit bags full of candy and other goodies."

"There was NEVER a game I don't remember seeing her at in the 14 years I have coached volleyball. She was also a staple at all of my nephews basketball and football games. Often she would talk to me before those games and tell me how nervous she was, but she would always end with, "I have faith in those kids." Deb and company will be missed dearly."

Teryn Jarrett, Meadowbrook boys basketball head coach:

"Deb Charleston was the frontrunner in Colt fandom since my time here at Meadowbrook (7 years). Deb was the epitome of what you would want from a community member in terms of her support and genuine care for student athletes. Anything from paying for food on road trips to giving the guys goodie bags for tournament games, senior night, holidays, etc. And to top it off, she never missed an athletic event. I still remember her texting me before every game during COVID to get the livestream link to tune in during fan restrictions. SHE JUST LOVED THE COLTS."

"I still believe the best part about Deb was her ability to do all of these things without bringing attention to herself. Unless you were in the know of the program, you would have no idea about what she did for our student athletes. She will be missed dearly by all and I am more than honored to have had the privilege to know her on some level. Meadowbrook athletics will never see another Deb Charleston, and of that I am sure."

Chris Miles, Meadowbrook girls basketball head coach:

"Deb was a huge part of what makes Meadowbrook Athletics what it is. She always supported the kids and was one of the first people there to congratulate them when they have success and pick them up when they were down.  She gave the players Valentines baskets, always had something special for them on senior night and was there every game of every season to offer her encouragement. She has been doing this for years. She will be remembered and greatly missed by everyone and we probably won't ever see another one like her."

A Gift That Keeps On Giving

The Charleston Memorial Scholarship Fund is set up to continue the legacy of Flo, Craig, and Deb Charleston by giving a college scholarship each year to a male and female athlete from Meadowbrook High School.

Donations can be made online through the registration portal for the Charleston Memorial Golf Outing at https://charlestonmemorialgolf3.rsvpify.com or email Matt Charleston at matt91097@sbcglobal.net for in-person donation details.

KSutton1@gannett.com; Twitter: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Deb Charleston remembered for devotion to all Meadowbrook student athletes