September 27, 1918 – February 21, 2024
WANCHESE — 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 infant daughter, daughter Myrtle Gail Wescott McKinney; grand-daughter 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, grand-daughter 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 and 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 WW-II efforts in 1941. During WW II, 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 WW II, Charles received an Honorable Discharge in 1945. Before Charles’ death, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Charles to be the oldest surviving WW-II 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 WW-II, 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 Gideons 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 Gideons International-Dare-Currituck Camp, P.O. Box 163, Manteo, N.C. 27954.
A graveside service be conducted at Deadwood Cemetery in Deadwood, TX, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Aileen. The graveside service will occur on February 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Military Honors Funeral Ceremony.
Jimmerson-Lipsey Funeral Home, Carthage, is assisting the family with arrangements in Texas.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with local arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
