Charles was born on December 21, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, to Emma Alice and Willie B. Carter. He grew up in a loving, God-fearing household alongside his 12 siblings. In 1977, he moved to Albuquerque to join his sister Savannah and brother Bruce.

Inspired by his own path to sobriety, Charles dedicated his life to helping others as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor. In 1988, he enrolled at the University of New Mexico for Counseling Services while working full-time for UNMH and interning at Healthcare for the Homeless. His hard work led to a promotion to Head Counselor, and by 1997, he became a licensed counselor through the State of New Mexico. Charles’s career spanned multiple agencies across the Albuquerque metro area, and he ultimately retired from Bernalillo County Corrections.

Beyond his career, Charles was a community pillar. He worked with city council members to prohibit alcohol sales in local pharmacies and was recognized as a Black New Mexican Pioneer, contributing to the Smithsonian-archived Elders Project: I See My Light Shining. A devoted man of faith, he recommitted his life to Christ in 1997, serving as a Deacon, Usher, & Choir member at God’s House Church. Charles also led the Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Family

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Emma A. Carter and Willie B. Carter; and his siblings Elbert, Louella, Willa Mae, Leroy, Sylvester, James, John, George, and Savannah.

He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Carter; children Vera F. Allen and Jeffery Wood; stepchildren Henry Spillers (Joy), Christine Manley (David), and Natasha Redmon; grandchildren Aliyah, Michael, Marcus, Breanna, Alyssa, Keisha, Nathaniel, Margaret, Patti, and Mildred; and siblings Patricia Jones, Darlene Gould, and Bruce Joel Carter. Also, a host of nephews and nieces.