Charles Walker White, III

On December 3rd, 1946, in the halcyon days after the end of WWII, still lit by waning atomic fire, Charles Walker White III was born to his mother, Isabella Peebles White (a progressive rabblerouser and social agitator of the highest order) and his father (a Navy veteran and long-time choir director) who was, shockingly, ALSO named Charles Walker White (Junior).  He was the oldest of 5 brothers.  He did most of his growing up on a farm in Charlotte, NC.  While his peers pursued sports and hunting and other manly past-times, Chuck spent his time in the library, reading books and, especially, listening to classical music.  
Chuck pursued his love of music into college, graduating with a degree in voice and church music.  For his senior recital, he was supposed to sing an aria in German.  He forgot all the words and, instead, sang German sounding syllables.  (Having just come out of WWII, everyone was familiar with the sound of German, so it worked great!!!)  It was during his time at St. Andrew's University that he met his wife-to-be, Pamela Elliott.  As the Vietnam War had been going since before Chuck was 10, he joined the Air Force as a pilot after he graduated eventually becoming a flight instructor and achieving the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.  After finishing Officer Training School, he was at risk of being placed in single housing, but Pam showed up just in time to whisk Chuck away from his superior officer and rush him to the Justice of the Peace who had, unfortunately, just closed.  They banged on the doors until he let them in.  He consecrated their marriage with the words, “With these chairs as witnesses, I now pronounce you man and wife.”  
Chuck only wanted a couple of kids, so Pam immediately got busy making sure he had as many as possible.  In the end, they had 5 children.  Chuck worked many jobs to make ends meet, but always pursued his passion and vocation for church music, directing choirs on Sundays.  It was at one of these churches, Sugaw Creek Presbyterian in Charlotte, NC, that he got what he called “really saved.”  This changed the trajectory of their lives.  They ended up starting Covenant Families, a faith ministry where they offered marriage counseling, housing to the homeless and, when needed, a winter’s worth of chopped wood.  It was during this time that, when Chuck’s choir at another church hadn’t shown up again, he decided to teach his family a song so they could perform.  This performance led to invitations to other churches and eventually singing dates from Florida to Maryland.  More importantly, there are so many couples who owe their success of their marriages to the counseling they received from Chuck and Pam.
Gradually, Chuck’s kids went off to pursue their own vocations and families. His oldest, knowing of his service in the military and churches, followed in his footsteps to serve as youth pastor all over the US and, at 35 years of age, felt the call to serve God and country.  He is now a chaplain in the National Guard who just finished his third tour in the Middle East.  His second son manages a vet clinic in Western New York.  His oldest daughter followed in her father’s footsteps and served in the Air Force.  His middle daughter, honoring his service as a vet, also became a vet (albeit a veterinarian instead of a veteran).  She has practiced for nigh on two decades and, several years ago, opened her own urgent care clinic in Western New York.  His youngest daughter, after working with Chuck for several years at Sprint, took a position at BGFamily where she has risen to become the Vice President.  
Pam’s health began to decline and Chuck spent more and more of his time caring for her.  During this time, he took a job as the choir director at Centerview Baptist Church in Kannapolis, NC where he stayed for the next 25 years.  Pam died in 2013.  Several years later, at 68 years of age, Chuck met Kristin Woodyard.  They began dating and remained together for the rest of his life.  In the more than a decade they were together, Kristin took him on many adventures all over the world, places he’d always wanted to go but never had the opportunity.  They brought each other much joy.
Chuck died on November 20th at 11:40 am, surrounded by family.  He is survived by his girlfriend, Kristen,  brothers William (Bill), Robert (Robbie), Thomas Edward (Tomed) and Doug , his oldest son Lt. Col. Rev. Charles Walker White IV (Josh, 53), Josh’s wife Marilyn (54), his son Charles Walker White V (Jesse, 28), his daughter Beverly Ruth (26) and his youngest son Michael (22), Michael’s wife Cheyenne (22) and Michael’s son, Chuck’s great-grandson, Elijah (3 months), his second son Chris (50), Chris’ wife Rochelle (53) and Chris’ son Josiah (28); his oldest daughter, Martha Jennette Perry (Jenny, 47) and Jenny’s wife Dorothy (45); his middle daughter Dr. Katie White Gies (45), Katie’s husband Dr. Aaron Gies (44) and their son James (11) and his youngest daughter, Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Cunningham (Betsy, 43), her husband, Andrew (45), her older daughter, Kaydance (17) and her younger daughter Ailish (7).

A visitation will take place on Saturday, November 22nd from 1:00-2:30 PM at Centerview Baptist Church, 415 Walter Street, Kannapolis, with a service to follow at 2:30.  Committal will be held on Monday, November 24 at 2:00 PM at the Oakwood Cemetery, Concord.

Donations may be made to the Billy Graham Relief Fund, 1 Billy Graham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC, 28201 or at giving.billygraham.org

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