Charles W. Martin
June 28, 1943 – April 9, 2021
We pause today to pay tribute to Charles Winston Martin. He was an enigmatic man, full of intelligence, talent, passion, humor and style. He was our father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Charles was born June 28, 1943, to Elizabeth and Stonie Martin in Carters Branch, Mississippi.
He was raised by his grandparents for a good portion of his early life. His grandfather was a Baptist minister and it was as a member of his grandfather’s church that Charles chose to be baptized. He lived a life of adventure, having spent his formative years with his brothers racking up countless stories in the streets of Flint and Saginaw. After graduating high school, he attended community college for a short while
and worked a few outreach-based jobs before joining the Nation of Islam and becoming a member of the Fruit of Islam Guard. He eventually settled as a painter at G&G Steel, a steel mill factory in Alabama. Charles was eclectic and full of swag. He was a master of many arts, including sketch portraiture, chess, and pool. He possessed an extensive knowledge of Black history, studied martial arts as a young man, and even barbered for a brief period of time. He was an excellent conversationalist; he enjoyed reading, absolutely loved to eat, and loved spending time with his family. He had close friendships with his brothers-in-law Charles Graham and George “Top” Hubbard, as well as with his sisters-in-law Priscilla “Bubu” Graham and Thelma “Mammie” Hubbard.
He had six children, five daughters and one son, by three beautiful women, Wilma Butler, Jacqueline Lee, and Vera Freeman.
He departed this life on April 9, 2021 after a brief but valiant battle with liver cancer. He was comfortable and surrounded by his daughters, who witnessed his last breath. Charles was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Martin, father Stonie Martin, sisters Mary Hill, JoAnn Montgomery and Kimberly Badger, son Solomon Lee, and grandson Antonio Sims, II.
Left to cherish the memory of his beautiful life are his five daughters, Tichina (Kervin) Powers, Thoenicia Allen, Chariclea (Antonio) Sims, NaKisha Martin, and Sonequa (Kenric) Green. His legacy continues with his grandchildren as well, Catherine Nicole Powers, Quinjon McClendon, Alexandria Janaya Powers, Tiffany Wharf, Tisha Allen, Whitney Sims, Jacques Price, Shane (Jessica) Pratt, Antineah Sims, Kenric Green II, Saraiyah Green, and his nine great grandchildren. His sisters Shirley Tatum, Shelia Aquil, and Candas Martin, his brothers Stonnie (Toni) Martin, James Howard (Annie) Martin, Herman (Linda) Martin, and Milford (Susie) Fryar, his two aunts Ruby Southward and Sallie Denton, and the host of his nieces, nephews and friends will all keep his memory alive.
