Charles William Hunter

Deacon Charles W. Hunter was born March 15, 1932, in Rayville, Louisiana. He was the fifth and devoted son born to the union of the late Pastor Charlie and First Lady Everline Hunter. Along with his brothers Leroy, George, Nathaniel, L.B., Alfred and John, they were affectionately called the seven sons of “thunder”. Deacon Hunter accepted Christ at the age of seven and became a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church in Rayville, Louisiana. He went on to graduate from American School in Chicago, Il. He began singing early in life at church, but it was in high school, around the age of sixteen when he began his career with the Silver Wings Gospel quartet. Deacon Hunter took his gift of singing and ministered too many as he and the Silver Wings opened for several well-known gospels groups like the Ferguson Singers, the Soul Stirrers, the Five Blind Boys and the Mighty Clouds of Joy between 1961-1966.

In 1951, Deacon Hunter relocated to Tucson, Arizona and two years later married his devoted wife of 62 years, Lorece Kindrick, whom he met while attending Rayville High School and in October 2014 they celebrated sixty-two years of marital bliss. Once in Tucson he was affiliated with many churches of which he became an active member. He was a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Grace Temple Baptist and the Morning Star Baptist Church. He was the musical director at each church and served as the director of the Arizona state choir. In 1959, he was ordained into the Deacon’s ministry by his pastor and father Pastor Charlie Hunter. In the Tucson community, Deacon Hunter was an innovative entrepreneur forming one of the largest detail shops in the Tucson area and was a pillar of strength and faith to all he came in contact with.

Deacon Hunter transitioned from this life on Friday, November 21, 2014 surrounded by the comforts of home, family and friends. He leaves to cherish his precious memory his devoted wife of sixty-two years Lorece Hunter, three daughters and one son; Varie Hunter (Tucson) Catharine Hunter (Tucson), Karon Hunter (Tucson) and Vernon Charles Hunter (Mount Vernon, Washington) fourteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and two great-great grandson, and a host of nieces and nephews. Though he is no longer with us, memories of his great faith in Jesus Christ, his love for life and the joy of his spirit shall always remain with us!

“God hath not promised skies always blue,

flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain.

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.”