Charles Walter Carson

Charles Walter Carson, 89, passed away on March 10, 2026. Born on July 21, 1936, in Lexington, North Carolina, Charles was the son of the late Kalford Carson and Drusela Albright Carson. 

A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm March 18, 2026 at St. Stephens United Methodist Church with Pastor Arnetta, Re, Paul Milton and Bishop Gregory Hargarve officiating services. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday March 17, 2026 at Davidson Funeral Home. 

Charles was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend whose life was marked by dedication, service, and a deep commitment to his family and community.

He was raised in Lexington, North Carolina, where he grew up attending Saint Stephen’s Methodist Church. His faith remained an important part of his life, and he was honored with the Laity Service Award from the Council of Laity of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Charles graduated from Dunbar High School in Lexington. He continued his education at Norfolk State College and North Carolina A&T University, where he pursued his studies while preparing for a life of service and professional achievement.

Following high school, Charles proudly served in the United States Navy as a Corpsman for over five years. During his service, he worked at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune, assisting with patient admissions and medical documentation. He later served at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he was responsible for operations within the Electrocardiography and X-Ray Department. In that role, he helped institute follow-ups on positive chest X-rays and medical findings, ensuring important medical information was reported to the Bureau of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

After completing his military service, Charles began a long and distinguished civilian career in service to the United States government. He worked as a Machinist at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, where he received extensive training, certifications, and numerous awards for his work. During this time, he successfully completed the rigorous Nuclear School program, studying the classified layouts, components, and functions of nuclear piping systems. Out of 52 students enrolled in the program, Charles was one of only seven to successfully complete the training!

His dedication and expertise led him to advance through several prominent roles including Machinist, Mechanical Piping Systems Nuclear Inspector, Ship Surveyor, and Ship Surveyor Supervisor. In these roles, he worked closely with production teams and naval vessels to ensure strict adherence to NAVSEA requirements. His work supported both Navy cost-plus and fixed-price contracts across numerous shipyards including Norfolk Naval Base, Little Creek Amphibious Base, NORSHIPCO in Norfolk, Horn Brothers in Newport News, Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in Baltimore, and Sun Shipyard in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Charles later served as a Port Engineer and Marine Surveyor with the Military Sealift Command. His work with the Department of Defense took him across the globe, including assignments throughout the eastern seaboard of the United States, the Mediterranean, the Philippine Naval Base, Japan, Singapore, Diego Garcia, California, Mombasa, Kenya, and Guam. His career reflected a lifetime of dedication to ensuring the readiness and safety of naval vessels serving the United States.

Throughout his career, Charles received numerous Letters of Commendation, citations for sustained superior performance, and recognition for outstanding work. He contributed to the overhaul, repair, and inspection of many vessels including the USS Hermitage, USNS San Jose (T-AFS), USS Narragansett, USS Kiska, USS Mercy, the reactivation of YTB-762 Tuscumbia, USS Fort Snelling, USS Sioux, USNS Mars, and USNS Spica, among others.

After retiring from his career with the Department of Defense, Charles returned to his hometown, honoring the wishes of his wife to settle back home in Lexington.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Charles was known throughout the community as the man with the walking stick. Nearly every day, rain or shine, he could be seen walking through the neighborhood with his trusted walking stick in hand. Many neighbors came to expect his familiar presence and friendly conversations along the way.

Charles truly never met a stranger. He spoke to every person he encountered, whether they spoke back or not. If someone didn’t respond, he would simply say with a smile, “I did my job by speaking — the rest is up to them.”

His love language was giving. Charles had a generous spirit and a heart for others, and he never wanted to see anyone go hungry or want for anything. If he saw someone who needed food, he made sure they had something to eat — whether they asked for it or not. At home, that same spirit showed in the little things. If his wife was outside working in her garden, Charles would often make her a sandwich and bring her a drink so she wouldn’t have to stop what she was doing. Taking care of others came naturally to him.

He also enjoyed the lighter moments of life. Charles appreciated a good Long Island iced tea and often shared one with friends and family. In the digital age, he became well known for faithfully liking just about every picture posted on Facebook, making sure friends and family knew he was always supporting them.

After completing one of his daily walks, he often rewarded himself with one of his favorite treats — a box of Bojangles chicken.

Family and friends remember Charles as someone who enjoyed good conversation, shared what he had with others, and found joy in the everyday moments of life.

Charles is survived by his beloved wife, Trinidad Levantino Carson, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage; his sons Charles Levantino Carson (wife Syamphone Chanthavong Carson) and Kalford Levantino Carson (wife Josephine Munda Carson), and their children Charles Chanthavong Carson, Logan Chanthavong Carson, Kalvin Munda Carson, and Kalford Munda Carson.

He is also survived by children from his first marriage, Gary Carson and Alva Janel Carson.

His beloved grandchildren include Brian Carson Henderson, Holly Brown, Jala Carson, Ashanti Carson, Javon Carson, and Jasmine Carson.

Charles was also blessed with great-grandchildren Caden Henderson, Maliyah, Zanayah, Devin, and Diontae.

He is further survived by his nieces Elder Kim Carson Hargrave and Dr. Angela McLaurin, and Dr. McLaurin's daughter, Alexandria Hawkins; nephews Elder Kevin Carson and Mark Carson; cousin Rose Marie Shoaf Livingston and family, including Professor Monica D. Livingston and Reginald M. Livingston II, Esq.; and embraced children Kim Thach, Dounl Thach, Lisa Kingsley, and Martin Kingsley.He was preceded in death by his parents, Kalford Carson and Drusela Albright Carson; his brothers Kalford Carson and Robert Carson; and his sisters Barbara Carson Stephen and Elizabeth Carson Jackson.

Charles believed in doing the job right, standing by his family, and serving something greater than himself.

Charles Walter Carson lived a life defined by service, strength, pride, and unwavering dedication to those he loved. Whether serving his country, ensuring the safety and readiness of naval vessels around the world, or supporting his family with steadfast commitment, he carried himself with integrity and purpose. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the family he loved so deeply, and the example he set through a lifetime of hard work and perseverance.

Though he may no longer walk beside us, his influence and memory will continue to guide and inspire future generations.