Winsett G. Charles, Sr. was born in the city of St. Johns, Antigua in the British West Indies to Reverend Ruel Alister M. Charles, Sr. and Estella Elvin Charles.  He was the firstborn of this couple and wore that badge well until the Lord called him home.

Winsett accepted Christ at an early age and was always very diligent about his Christian walk throughout the various stages of his life.  In concert with standards set by his father, Winsett was a dedicated servant in and out of the church.

The Charles family moved from Antigua to Nevis to St. Thomas, VI, then on to Boston, Massachusetts. Wherever Winsett lived or worked he exuded that quiet, consistent spirit of service to God and to others.  In St. Thomas, he served as the church musician until he matriculated into college.  While in high school, he was the first of the siblings to acquire a job delivering newspapers, which he passed down to his brothers Ruel and Ed.  He also served as a bank teller and pharmacy salesclerk before going off to pursue his undergraduate degree.

Winsett started school in Swetes Village, Antigua, went on to secondary school in Nevis, BWI and finished high school in St. Thomas, USVI.  After obtaining his BS degree in Biology at Marion College in Marion, Indiana, he entered the military and served as a medical technician.  Upon leaving the Air Force, Winsett was employed as a medical lab technician until he retired.  During the time of his civilian employment, he obtained his Master's degree in History at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Throughout his life, Winsett achieved many of his goals and acquired several valuable skills.  During his four years in the Air Force he spent two tours in Vietnam.  He also served as church musician wherever he was stationed; that included many bases around the world and in the continental USA.  After leaving the military, Winsett met and wedded the love of his life, Gwendolyn Daly, and raised a family of three children in the Boston area.  In fact, his service as a musician increased as he became affiliated with the Dorchester Immanuel Church of the Nazarene, which was founded by his father and stepmother, Rev. Rachel I. Charles.  He served there as the organist, in the transportation ministry, as secretary of the church board, senior leader, Bible and Sunday School teacher, sometimes guest preacher, in youth ministry, (serving many generations), and in many other capacities.  He was affectionately referred to as "Brother Charles."

Brother Charles' greatest love was for his family.  He may have been quiet, but don't mess with his wife and children.  They have stories of trips taken, controversies squelched and associations built.  For his siblings, he was quietly the "Godfather."  He sometimes served as the "counselor" for his younger siblings: not with a heavy hand, but with wisdom, a mentoring spirit, and a conservative stance tempered with a willingness to help and hold us accountable.  He willingly served and cared for many of our older family members when they were alive.

Winsett read a lot.  He had a magazine with him at all times.  He was known to read through the Bible annually, in a different translation each year.  So, his wisdom and advice was Bible-based and well rounded.  One quote he repeated many times, which has been adopted by some of his siblings, is "Youth is wasted on the young."

For many of his siblings, Winsett was also our connection to the past because he kept in contact with many family and friends.  With his encouragement, our family have grown to love and cherish each other over the many years as children and grandchildren of pastor Ruel A. M. Charles, Sr.

The life of Brother Winsett Charles can truly align with Paul's statement to Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Preceding Winsett in death were his parents, Ruel A. M. Charles, Sr. and Estella Elvin Charles; his stepmother, Rachel I. Charles; his uncle, Ivan Charles; his aunts, Ena Carr and Laurel Myles; and his sister Alistella "Junie" Charles.

He leaves to cherish precious memories, his wife Gwendolyn Daly Charles; his sons, Winsett Charles, Jr. (Lynn-Marie) and Elvin Charles; his daughter Dawn Marie M. Charles; his brothers, Ruel A. Charles, Jr., Edward B. Charles (Doris), Washington Irving Charles, and Lyndon J. Charles (Tadia); his sisters, Rev. Marcella L. Charles, Helen Charles Cooper (Albert), Serene D. Charles, Sharon Charles Smith, Rhoda Charles Jackson (Nate); grandchildren Renee, Jordana and Sydney; and several nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and acquaintances.