Charles Bright, Sr. was born in Harper, Liberia on November 27, 1958 to parents Wilmot P. Bright, Sr, and Eliza Dennis-Neuville. Charles graduated from Cape Palmas High School in 1977. On January 10, 1981, he married Glendora Johnson Ville.
In 1981, he was accepted into Belmont University, which relocated him from Liberia, West Africa to Nashville, TN. At Belmont, he studied Accounting and finance. He received his Bachelors in 1983 and an MBA in 1992. As an Undergraduate student at Belmont University, Charles held the position as a staff
accountant for Focus Communications which later became United Press International from 1981-1985.
In 1985, Charles became a highly successful insurance agent for Equitable Insurance and Golden Rule Insurance. He won numerous awards as insurance agent. One strategy Charles used to become successful in the insurance business was his ability to attract people from all cultures and ethnicities.
From 1988 through 2012, Charles became the founder and CEO of Maryland Financial Services, Inc., in honor of his father Wilmot P. Bright, Sr., who was an accountant in Maryland County, Liberia. He achieved tremendous success in his business endeavors. He established an African grocery store, restaurant, and a banquet hall in which he named after his wife Glendora.
In 2012, Charles retired and worked as a business consultant with sons Wilmot Bright and Charles Jr. until his departure on December 9, 2019.
Beside his dominance in business, Charles loved his family. He loved to take his family on vacation (especially Florida) every year after the tax season. He was also a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in which he served as a past children’s Sunday school teacher, treasurer, and Stephen Minister.
Together, Charles and Glendora raised four children: Wilmot Patrick Bright, Charles Austin Bright, Jr., Clara Victoria Bright, and Chad Anwar Bright. Charles was also a proud grandfather to five grandsons: Rishon Bright, Corbyn Bright, Austin Bright, Jamel Bright and Aiden Bright.
Charles leaves to mourn: Henry N. Bright, Theodore & Victoria Borsay, Jannie E. Bright, Marcus W. Bright, Huburn P. Bright, Bunchie V. Bright Horrace, Florence L. Bright, Patricia L. Bright McCay,
Walter M. Bright, Naomi Bright, Precious Bright, Katherine B. Clarke, Wilmot Bright II, Gedeh Wesley Karpea, Mavenia Dennis, James & Wende Jackson, Benjamin & Wede Tarway, Collins Thomas and many loved cousins (Dennis Family, and Snowe Family), nieces, and nephews.
His siblings that predeceased him include: Mayor D. Hney, William Neuville, Augustin Nyapan Wollo, Annie Strong, and Henry Strong.
Visitation will be held at St. Philip's Episcopal Church on Friday, December 27, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 10:30 am at St. Philip's Episcopal Church with Rev. Vicki Burgess officiating.
Entombment will follow at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.
Repass will follow at 2:00 pm at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1238 Briarville Road, Madison, Tennessee 37115.
