Charles Preston "Charlie" Raley
August 10, 1941 ~ July 19, 2025
Charles Preston Raley, “Charlie”, 83, of Park Hall, MD, formerly of Clements, MD, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, at his home. Born on August 10, 1941, in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late Mary Jeanette Russell Raley and the late Joseph Howard Raley Sr. Charlie was married to the late Mary Lee Trossbach Raley, on April 27, 1963, at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Ridge, MD, and who preceded him in death on June 16, 2016. He is survived by his children, Charles L. “Chip” Raley of Park Hall, MD, Ronald H. Raley of Dameron, MD, Deborah L. Fenhagen of Park Hall, MD, and Thomas A. Raley (Lisa) of Park Hall, MD, his sister, Carolyn Norris (Bubby) of Chaptico, MD.
Charles is also survived by nine grandchildren: Dustin (Cara aka Kat), Casey and Thomas Raley Jr., Lindsey and Amber Fenhagen, Jordan and Lacy Raley, Brandon (Keri) and Robin Reece, as well as 6 great grandchildren: brothers Riley and Ronan Raley, Isabelle Boucher, Boston and Bentley Boucher, soon to be joined by Harper Reece. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Joseph H. Raley, Jr. and Mary Jeanette “Jean” Brown.
Charlie was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident and graduated from Margaret Brent in 1960. He worked at various jobs after high school beginning a ten-year career and became a brick mason for Gordon H. Ragan Inc. Charlie then became self-employed in the same trade for the next five years, in which time his company grew to five total employees during the mid-seventies, after which he worked for Guy & Guy Masonry for a few years before beginning a 20-year career in government service. He served as a brick mason at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station for eight years, beginning about 1980, before working as a carpenter at the Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station for another 12 years, starting in November 1987 before his retirement in December of 1999.
Charlie was an avid recreational boater in his spare time. He also loved country music, dancing, and mealtimes (most especially if there was a seafood feast to be enjoyed).
The family will receive friends on Monday, July 28, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, MD, with Fr. Paul Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Dustin Raley, Casey Raley, and Thomas Raley Jr., nephews Randy Raley, Michael Brown, and Mark Norris. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren Lindsey Fenhagen, Amber Fenhagen, Jordan Raley, Lacy Raley, Brandon Reece, and Robin Reece, nieces Karen Stinson, Diane Gooding, and Chrissy Page, granddaughter-in-law, Cara “Kat” Raley, Keri Reece, and nephews Gary Norris, Sean Norris, David Brown, and Joey Raley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad in Charles’ name.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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We want to tell the family that you are in our hearts and prayers.
I have personally known Charles for 65 years as I was married to his brother, Joe and we had 4 beautiful children together.
Charles, like his brother, worked hard for years. We raised our children, mostly Mary Lee and me because the men were working.
The other two ladies I am including in this message have known Chip; Cathy Mattingly Sheeder & Menchie Mariano. Cathy grew up in my house & Menchie met Chip a few years ago, she also gave Charles his medicine at Ches. Shores Nursing home when he went there for rehab.
We want the family to know that we are here for them, even if they just need a shoulder or someone to talk to.
Love to all;
Ruth Graves Raley Hill & family
Cathy Mattingly Sheeder
Menchie Mariano