Charles Ryals Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services

Messages Received

Imagine not being able hear sound. You cannot hear anything. Obviously, communication with others
is extremely difficult because you can't hear words that are being spoken.

A deaf person can learn to give and receive communication by learning a language: sign language.
This language employs signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions
and postures of the body, to communicate messages.

Charles Ryals, Sr. was proficient in sign language. He worked with the Vocational Rehabilitation
Service, the largest division within the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, to help
Alabamians with disabilities achieve independence through employment. His special focus was
working with the deaf and blind.

As a skillful "signer," Charles was able to communicate with people with which many others could
not. By communicating in sign language with those who were deaf, he was able to assist them in
navigating through the challenges of their lives.

A sign, at its basic definition, simply points to something. Signs in sign language "point" to the
words and ideas that are being communicated. By the way that he lived, Charles Ryals, a proficient
"signer," pointed to things that mattered most to him. His life pointed to:

Love for family. One of his grandsons, David Geary, said of him: "As I think about my grandfather
and who he was, the most memorable thing about him to me was how much he loved and cared for my
grandmother. It seemed that he lived every moment of his life to serve her and care for her - even
well before her illness. It didn't seem that she could do a thing without him saying, "Here, let me
do that for you." His love for her was by far the thing that I will remember the most about him. I
don't know that I have ever seen a man have and show as much love for a woman as my grandfather did
for my grandmother. That means a lot to me. He was a great example." His children, grandchildren,
and great grandchildren all testify of his great love for them. They all loved him in return.

Wise counsel. "His ability to guide us in giving advice as a compassionate and concerned person was
always so gracious and gentle," said grandson David Geary. Family members were not the only
recipients of his wisdom. Many friends and church members benefitted from his compassionate
counsel.

Love for God and people. Above all, Charles Ryals sought to point others to God through his words
and his actions. Many will testify (including me) that he did a marvelous job. He helped many
"see" Jesus more clearly. Celeste Chandler said of him, "When I think of Charles, so many words
describe him: Godly, sweet-spirited, quiet, soft-spoken, gentle, caring, a true gentleman, a friend
to all - a very dear friend to me." These words have been echoed by many.

What is the best thing you and I can do? Follow the signs. Follow Charles Ryals as he followed
Christ.

Place your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31) who died on the cross for our sins. Turn from
your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Then, follow Jesus as a way of
life, walking in the light of His Word. "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John
1:7).

Messages received, Charles Ryals, Sr. The signs have been clear. Thank you for communicating these
truths in such profound, unmistakable ways.

-- David A. Sargent

* In loving memory of Charles Edwin Ryals, Sr. (October 28, 1927 - October 10, 2019). Thank you for
communicating what a Christ-honoring life looks like. Until we meet again.