Charles Franklin McPhatter

Charles Franklin McPhatter age 63, transitioned on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at The Greens At Pinehurst in Pinehurst, North Carolina.    

Elder Charles Franklin McPhatter was born March 29, 1956 to the late Elder Raymond McPhatter, Sr. and Mother Bertha Ann Purcell McPhatter. He transitioned from this earth on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at the HCR Manor Care Nursing Facility in Pinehurst, NC. 

Elder Charles received his formal education from Hoke County Schools and graduated from Hoke County High School in 1974. While in high school, Elder Charles began working at A & P Grocery in Raeford, NC where he won the heart of Raeford citizens. After A & P Grocery closed, he began to drive school buses for the Hoke County Schools and later became a teacher assistant at West Hoke Middle School and Hoke County High School where he worked until he retired. 

Elder Charles received Christ at an early age and as a member of St. James United Church of God,  he worked relentlessly. He served as the youth choir director, Young Adult Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Crusaders Choir Advisor, Francis Purcell Voices of Consolation Choir President and in November 1984, he delivered his initial sermon becoming an official member of the ministerial staff. He attended Carolina Bible College in Fayetteville, NC and soon became a licensed elder for the United Church of God, Incorporated.

In 1993, after being asked to form a gospel choir to perform at the Black History Program for the Hoke County High School, Elder Charles continued working with the young students to form the Touch-A-Teen Youth Choir. The choir went all around the states of North Carolina and South Carolina singing the praises of God and bringing young and old to salvation. 

Elder Charles was a sharp dresser and an even more talented singer. Often called the Luther Vandross of Gospel, Elder Charles sang many brides down the aisle.  He was a member of the award winning Family Fellowship Mass Choir. He was also a gifted and creative playwriter creating many of the programs for Christmas and Easter for the youth of  St. James UCOG, but his most notable play is The Rapture. Elder Charles was a man full of laughter and love. 

Elder Charles leaves to cherish loving memories: two brothers: Raymond, Jr. (Sennie), & Willie, Sr. of Raeford; one brother-in-law, Emanuel Harrington of Raeford; one sister-in-law, Mary Catherine McPhatter of Columbia, SC; one aunt, Minnie Bridges (Willie) of Apex, NC; four god children: Cicely Harrington, Shauntee Nicole Purcell, Traven A. Harrington and Ahmiyah McBryde; his former wife, Anna Harrington and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, students and friends.

Memorial services will be held at a later date for Elder McPhatter.

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