Charlie Watson Jr.

His Story

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Mr. Charlie Watson Jr. was born to the parents of Charlie Watson Sr. and Ellen McCullough Watson.  Charlie was the second child of four children.

Charlie was baptized in 1962 at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Holly Ridge, Mississippi and became a member of First Samuel Missionary Baptist Church in 1966.

Charlie married Linnie B. White Watson on May 18, 1968 and 3 children were born.

Charlie served in the military for 2 years, toured in Germany, where his rank was a Sergeant E5.

Charlie attended Carver Elementary School and graduated from Gentry High School, Indianola, Mississippi.  He also attended IUPUI Business College, Ivy Tech Community College and Chatard Business College in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Charlie worked for RCA, Pizza Hut, Nora Tea Pee, Roselyn Bakery and Center Township Trustee Office Investigation Department, where he gave relief to people by helping them to obtain food, rent, pay utilities and to receive medical care/supplies.  Charlie also worked for and has retired from Ford Motor Company.

Charlie was gifted and talented by God.  He loved to sing for the Lord,  decorate, travel, perform in theatric plays, model (fashion tours), help people and loved PEACE, not confusion.

Charlie modeled with the group called The LaClassic and did freelance modeling for various organizations.  In 1978 and 1981, he won 2 trophies for participating in The Flamingo Club Ebony Fashion Fair, he also won 2 trophies in the contest among the 10 Best Dressed Men in Indianapolis.

Charlie performed with various theater groups in the city and several plays.  He performed with The Soul People Repertory Theatre Group, founded by Helen Whitelowe and Glenn White.  He also performed in Footlite Musical, Billy Buck Board and Raisen by Sandra Gaye.

He performed in Purlie-Soul People and Interchurch Performance group, now called Praise Stage Production founded by Ethel McCain.  Charlie played the role of Jesus in the Beautiful Garden of Prayer, written by Carolyn Oliver.

In 1981, he won Encore Award for Best Male Vignette, in the play entitled First Breeze pf Summer while at the Soul Repertory Company.

Charlie sang with the recording group with Al Hobbs in the Indianapolis Chapter of Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) now known as the Indy Mass Choir and sang with James Cleveland (GMWA) Mass Choir.  Charlie sang with the male chorus, True Believers, was Assistant Director of the choir under the leadership of Reggie Gammon and Terita  Whitfield.  He was a member of the youth and senior choir.  He was the first male performer to do Interpretive Dance at First Samuel to the song, “We Shall Behold Him”.  Charlie sang on the first album recorded at First Samuel in 1982, with “Oh Mary, Don’t You Weep”.  Charlie sang with First Samuel Praise Team, the Male Chorus, director of the senior choir and served on First Samuel’s Board of Trustee.

In April 1991, Charlie was raised to the 3^rd Degree Master Mason at Trinity Lodge #18 and was serving as chaplain and song leader for the lodge.

Charlie was also a Delegate to the National Baptist Convention-BTU Congress for many years.

Charlie Watson loved God, was faithful and loved to serve.  You would always find him with his talented gifts by God, involved somewhere being a light in the community.  Charlie was a missionary with the gift of helping.  It was not uncommon to hear or see him visiting the sick at home, nursing homes, hospital’s or making special contacts by phone to check on the status of the shut in.  Charlie was a true servant of the God he served and loved.  Honor the memory of Charlie, by letting the work he has done, speak for him.

Charlie was preceded in death, by father Charles Watson Sr., mother Ellen Watson and sister, Leola Colvin.

He leaves to cherish his memories, wife Linnie B. Watson, 2 daughters, Tammi Carpenter (Derek), Tameka Gentry (Brian), 1 son, Charlie Jermaine Watson 3^rd (Tiana), all of Indianapolis, Indiana.

10 grandchildren, Desmond Jones, Da-Quan Watson, LaMario Watson, John Goodlow Jr., Kadija Goodlow, Kendall Gentry, Jermaine Watson, Kira Gentry, Triniti Watson, Donald Germany.

2 sisters, Louise Howard and Bessie Watson, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, church family, friends and neighbors.