Charles "Charlie" Edward Wilson

Charles Edward “Charlie” Wilson could tell a great story, and he had a seemingly endless supply of them. He collected his stories over an extraordinary life that included years of mission work in Spain and more than a decade spent in China teaching English and providing support and encouragement to the burgeoning Chinese Christian community. His time in China began shortly after the country opened to the West in the early 1980’s. Charlie later participated in cross-cultural service opportunities in Bolivia with Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, N.C. More recently, he spent several months teaching English in Kurdistan and, earlier this summer, had the good fortune to return to China to teach and reconnect with old friends. These adventures—and so many others—shaped his life and enriched those lucky enough to hear about them. Charlie’s storytelling ended Dec. 2, after a brief and challenging illness. He was 73.

Charlie was born July 12, 1952, in Greenville, Alabama. He was the devoted son of Woodrow and Lilly Kennedy Wilson. Charlie moved with his family to Thomasville, North Carolina, when he was 13. He earned a bachelor’s degree in religion and Spanish language from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, but he never lost his love for Alabama football. Charlie served as the first Journeyman to Spain for the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. After returning to the United States, he attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Years of combining travel, adventure and ministry followed. In 1988, Charlie established the Cooperative Services International program, which provided English-speaking volunteers for universities in China. He led that program in country for 10 years.

Charlie loved his service in China and the many wonderful people he met there. But that service ended abruptly due to a conflict between the Chinese government and the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, which sponsored his program. Charlie regretted not being able to continue his work in facilitating cross-cultural understanding, but he found other ways to fulfill his commitment to service and live out his faith.

After returning to North Carolina, he took on caregiving for his mother, aided in that role by his equally devoted spouse, Alice Stewart. They lived in Greensboro, where Alice worked as a professor and Charlie worked for the North Carolina Baptist Convention. He returned to school to earn a doctorate in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University. Charlie’s gift for being at ease in practically every situation and his years offering that grace to others showed through in his graduate work, culminating in a dissertation focused on moral leadership and service.

Charlie spent years teaching English language skills and befriending the immigrant population in Greensboro. His welcoming nature and genuine curiosity fostered many a cultural exchange. On one adventure, Charlie invited a group of his students—young men from China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo, and other African countries—to accompany him and Alice to a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The students were moved by our nation’s honoring of its men and women who served and sacrificed; they were excited to see the capital lit up for the holidays, and they were delighted to get to sample foods from back home. They challenged Charlie to join them by assuring him Central African cuisine wasn’t “too hot.” Chalk that up to a learning experience about how vastly tastebuds may differ around the globe, but friendliness and fellowship can bridge such divides. And, of course, an appreciation for good fun.

His nieces and nephew knew him as a fun and reliable confidant. He was the ever-present family photographer who chronicled the momentous and the mundane, and the quirky uncle always willing to gift his signature pear relish, share some boiled peanuts, talk of hummingbirds and tend to his grandfather’s heirloom wedding bell flowers.

In 2021, Charlie followed Alice to Knoxville, Tenn., where she had been offered a teaching post. A benefit of the move was that Charlie was closer to his brother, Jim, two nieces, and great nieces and nephews, all whom he adored. Family—and the friends who became family—had always been part of Charlie’s core being. He went out of his way to be present for important events, stay connected and celebrate the accomplishments of those he loved.

Charlie’s mother had a favored phrase—“blessed and thankful”—and Charlie made her words a guiding star of how he chose to live his life. Even in death, he served others without reservation by indicating his wish to be an organ donor.

Charlie is survived by Alice, his brother Jim (Karen) of Jefferson City, Tenn., and sisters Jane Landrum of Hoover, Ala., and Ruth (Bob) Setzer of Winston-Salem, N.C., and sister-in-law Kaye Wilson of Sedalia, Colo., his uncle Joseph B. Kennedy of Texas, five nieces and a nephew—Drew (Samara) Wilson, Stephanie Wilson (Glen Burns), Jennifer Landrum, Libby (Spencer) Jones, Amanda (Jason) Taylor, Whitney (Jay) Owen—four great nieces, seven great nephews, and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Steve, and Jane’s husband, John.

A celebration of Charlie’s extraordinary life with be held in Greensboro beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at College Park Baptist Church, 1601 Walker Avenue, 27403. Officiating will be Rev. Mera Cossey Corlett and Rev. Michael Usey, both fellow seminarians and longtime friends of Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Charlie’s memory to the Pat Summitt Foundation (patsummitt.org) or any organization supporting immigrants, refugees, or international Christian service.