"A Life of Humble Service"

Mr. Charlie Wilson , son of the late Elmiah fowler and Ida Mae Fowler, was born in Summerville, South Carolina on October 23, 1941. He entered eternal rest on Thursday, May 22, 2025. A longtime resident of Summerville, he was raised in the Brownsville Community, in the area affectionately known as "The Bay". Growing up, he spent a lot of time with his paternal grandfather and grandmother, the deceased Benjamin Wilson and Ella Mae Wilson. It was through them that he received his earliest lesson in the benefits of hard work, whether it be farming or learning the trades of brick masonry and electricity. Through the home training of his beloved parents and grandparents, he understood the lessons of work ethic, humility and a love of God and family.

He attended schools in Dorchester County, graduating from Alston High School in 1960. From an early age he began to learn, and eventually mastered the art of brick masonry, having learned the trade from a number of revered masonry taskmasters of that era. Upon graduation from high school, he moved to New York where he plied his trade until other obligations took precedence

He was drafted into the US Army in 1964, and as he described it, it was one of the most fortunate events to have happened in his young life. He was assigned to an engineering battalion, where he was able to make use of many of his God given talents, but most importantly, he learned of the GI Bill, which provided the resources for him to further his education Following his Army service, he enrolled at Savannah State College in Savannah Georgia. At Savannah State, he met the love of his life, the former Miss Vivian Jones of Riceboro, GA. It was at Savannah State he met mentors he spoke fondly of all of his days: Dr. Leroy Brown and Dr. Clyde Hall. He majored in industrial education, where he learned he had the gift of teaching and in a career of over 31 years of formal classroom teaching in Charleston and Berkeley counties, he positively influenced hundreds, if not thousands of students, not only in vocational classes, but life lessons of the value hard work, working smarter, self-respect, respect for others, caring about your community and most importantly, self-discipline. In 1979, he furthered his education by earning a Master's degree in Industrial Education from Clemson University. In 1990 he was honored by the Governor of SC as Teacher of the Year. Upon making a decision to build a home for his family, he began taking classes in General Contracting. With this knowledge, and the knowledge of vocational subjects he taught, he built his own home by hand. He believed fervently that if all a person did in a given day during construction was to drive one nail, they were one nail closer to completion of a monumental task. In 1980, he completed his earthly home for his wife and children. This home, in his beloved Brownsville Community, was the first of many homes he has built in the lowcountry of SC, and in Georgia for different friends, relatives and members of the community.

He was joined in holy matrimony to Vivian Jones of Riceboro, GA in June of 1970. A lifetime of love and commitment, their marriage spanned nearly 55 years. To all that knew him, he was a hardworking, dependable and humble man who provided leadership, love and guidance to his family until his time of transition. He was an example of faithfulness to God, and a commitment to family. He exemplified integrity. If he told you something, or committed to something, you could take him at his word.

He was a lifetime dedicated member of Baum Temple AME Zion Church in Summerville, SC and served faithfully to the church as a former Chair of the Trustee board, the Steward Board, and in a variety of other church related activities. A gifted man of many talents, he provided much expertise to numerous renovations at the church as well as the greater Brownsville community. There are many monuments throughout Summerville and the greater area that are a testament to his prowess as a builder and an electrician. He was often the first person many people thought of when they had construction related concerns. An unselfish man of many talents, he was very energetic, focused, and humble man of drive and dedication to any task at hand. Truly a man of faith, he helped found a men's group, "Janitors for Jesus" that focused on doing the Lord's work through service to others within the Brownsville community, and the greater Dorchester county area. He was preceded in death by his revered parents, Elmiah and Ida Mae Fowler

Charlie is survived by his wife, Vivian Wilson; his son, Mr. Kenneth Wilson (Michelle) of Summerville; his Daughter Candace V. Wilson (Kerry) of Stone Mountain, GA and his beloved granddaughter, Kendall Wilson of Charlotte, NC. One Sister-in-law Mrs. Rosemary (Norris) Bell, of Riceboro, GA; Two Brothers-in-law, Mr. Michael Jones (Toni) of Norfolk, VA and Mr. Johnny Euley, Sr of Riceboro, GA. Also one very close first cousin, Mrs. Jeanette Smith, of Summerville, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and certainly all those in The Brownsville Community, which he cared so deeply about.