Charles Lee Wescott, a 105-year-old native of Wanchese, North Carolina, departed his Earthly home in Wanchese, North Carolina, on February 21, 2024, with his family at his side.

Charles was born September 27, 1918, in Gum Neck, Tyrrell County, North Carolina, the eldest child born to Theophilus Lee Wescott and Ina Cahoon Wescott. His family resided in Gum Neck briefly while his father pastored the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, but moved to the small fishing village of Wanchese when his parents purchased his ancestral Daniels/Etheridge Homeplace.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Theophilus and Ina Wescott; his wife of 64 years, Aileen Johnson Wescott; an infant son and an infant daughter; daughter, Myrtle Gail Wescott McKinney; granddaughter, Tana D. Johnson; brothers, Ervin H. Wescott and Marvin H. Wescott; and sister, Lessie W. Forbes.

Charles is survived by his daughter, Mary Wescott of Wanchese, NC; grandson, Lee Johnson and wife Lisa of Wanchese, NC; granddaughter, Anna Aucoin and husband Cooper of Many, LA; grandson, Justin McKinney of Athens, TX; great-granddaughter, Mariah Meenach and husband Joshua of Troup, TX; great-granddaughter, Alyssa Johnson; great-grandson, Ian Johnson of Wanchese, NC; and great-great-granddaughter, Harper Meenach of Troup, TX.

In 1937, at nineteen years of age, Charles enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps. From his small salary, $22.00 was paid monthly to his parents. He worked in various areas of North Carolina. However, most of his service time was within Dare County until he received his Honorable Discharge in 1939. Charles joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1940, before the United States entered the WWII efforts in 1941. During WWII, he was assigned to the U.S. Navy. He was involved in military operations from the U.S. East Coast North Atlantic to the Gulf Coast Mexican border. After the conclusion of WWII, Charles received an Honorable Discharge in 1945. Before Charles' death, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Charles to be the oldest surviving WWII Veteran in The State of North Carolina.

Until his death, Charles held membership with Ft. Raleigh American Legion Post #0026 in Manteo, N.C.

During WWII, he met Aileen, and in 1944, they were married in Galveston, TX. During their marriage, he and Aileen mainly resided in Wanchese, where Aileen died at their home in 2009.

Charles devoted his life to being a commercial fisherman, from which he retired. He was one of the first charter boat captains out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center in the 1950s. He owned and managed his boat, the Myrtle W., affectionally named after his wife.

Charles was a mild and gentle-mannered inspiration to many; he never knew a stranger and loved many.

During the 1940s, Charles accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and, since he was a small child, was affiliated with Wanchese Assembly of God Church, where he became a member in 1949. Charles firmly believed in tithing and supported various religious organizations instrumental in spreading the Gospel. He was a longstanding member of The Gideon's International – Dare Camp. He was involved in the Bible Distribution and Jail Inmate Ministries. The family wishes to convey their gratitude to Pastor Kenny Midgett for the many years of faithful pastoral visits when Charles could not attend Church services. Charles respectfully requested that any memorials be directed to The Gideon's International-Dare-Currituck Camp, P.O. Box 163, Manteo, N.C. 27954.

A graveside service with Military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Deadwood Cemetery Pavilion in the Deadwood Community of Panola County, TX, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Aileen.

Thank you to Twiford Funeral Homes, L.L.C., Manteo, NC, and Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home, Carthage, TX, who are responsible for the arrangements.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.