Charles Simpkins' Obituary
Charles Lester Simpkins, of Charlotte, NC, was the first born of Charles Simpkins and Jean Whitfield Simpkins-Griffin. He was born on Friday, February 24, 1950, at Flushing Hospital in NY. His home during the formative season of his life was in Hempstead, NY, where he spent a great deal of time playing his favorite sport, basketball, with friends that included Julius Erving, “Dr. J.”
Holding the hands of his wife of 35 years, Gwen, and daughter, Chelsea, Charles transitioned from his life on earth to his home in heaven on Sunday, February 12, 2023, two weeks shy of his 73rd birthday.
Charles was a highly talented Communications System Engineer with 40 years of experience working for Fortune 500 companies like CitiBank, Centel, Wiltel, Williams Communication, NextiraOne, and Black Box Voice Communications Services.
As a result of Black Box job transfers, Charles left his home territory of New Jersey and New York and moved his family to Columbia, MD, for a few years and then to Charlotte, NC. He eventually retired from Black Box in 2014, filling in his days with traveling, watching television, and his other favorite hobbies, playing golf and shopping. Who in the world would have to make a trip to the dry cleaners before they could pack a bag for the beach? That would be Charles Simpkins. He was a sharp dresser his entire life – didn’t matter if he was wearing jeans, shorts, or a suit – he was always dressed to impress!
Charles was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, and a faithful member of Bethel Outreach International Church. A large village of family and friends will miss him, including his wife, Gwen of the home, son, Charles Claudio “Coco” of Brooklyn, NY, daughter, Chelsea Gwendolyn of Charlotte, NC, sister, Diane (Kevin) McNeal of Elgin, SC, brother, Gregory (Denita) Simpkins of Fredericksburg, VA, grandson Quincy of Brooklyn, NY; uncle Lester (Winnie) Whitfield of Henderson, NV; brothers-in-law Charles (Stacey), Curtis, Marlon (Willa), Ricky; sisters-in-law Adrienne (Darren), Cynthia (Otis), Gloria, Nichole, Pam, Sandra, Selena; nephews Cecil, Christian, Christopher, Deshawn, Jarryd (Katherine), Marcus, Marlon II, Michael, Myles, Payton (Sherica), Shelton, Xavier; nieces Ashley (Jeff), Brandy (Jeremy), Dannielle, Ellen, Katuria, Kelli, Khloe, Michelle (Sarah), Natalie, Nephretitti, Rena, Shecora; cousins Alice, Dottie, Kenneth, Michelle (Ron), Sharyn, William (Louisa), and a host of other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make donations in memory of Charles to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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