Charles Conley

Affectionately known as “Sun Baby” or “Tater,” Charles Edward Conley was born on August 25, 1934, in Mustang Prairie, within the Mt. Moriah Community of Houston County. He was the sixth child of proud parentage, Mr. John Monroe Conley and Mrs. Creola Perry Conley.

As the story goes, before his fifth birthday, Charles and his mother were shopping in town when they met a young boy named Charles Edward. His mother asked if he liked the name, and with his charming simplicity,  he replied that it was “alright.” From that day forward, he was lovingly known as Charles Edward Conley, and his name would become synonymous with kindness, resilience, and love throughout his life.

Charles accepted Christ and he was baptized at an early age.  He was given the right hand of fellowship at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.  As a child, he enjoyed praising God through song with his older brothers.  As an adult, he united with St. Luke Baptist Church in Crockett, Texas where he sang faithfully in the choir.  After marriage, he moved his membership to raise his family at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he served as the Adult Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent of Sunday School, choir member, and ordained a deacon.

Charles felt that his gift was to minister through music, and as a result, he and a few other gentlemen formed a quartet group called the Spiritual All Stars of Crockett, Texas. They made a lasting impact in Gospel music all across East Texas, surrounding areas, and even Louisiana. Later in life, he and his wife would serve and worship at Williams Chapel Church of the Living God, PGT under the leadership of Bishop Eddie Reddic.  He faithfully served as Sunday School teacher until early Spring 2024.

Charles graduated at the age of 17 from Williams High School in Crockett, Texas. After graduating, he and two of his friends hitch-hiked, and also rode in the box car of a train to  Arizona looking for a better life.  After working in the cotton fields and other jobs in Arizona, Charles returned home and enlisted in the United States Army Corp.  He honorably served on active duty in Fort Polk in Louisiana, and he was deployed to Germany in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis.  He served from May 8, 1957 until he was honorably discharged on April 24,1959. Charles also served in the Army Reserves for more than three years. After serving in the U.S  Army, he moved to Crockett and studied music and related studies for two years at the historical Mary Allen College.

Charles courted the love of his life, Gloria Kennard, and they were married on November 6, 1971. To this union, four beautiful children were born: Charisse Antoinette, AnneciaCharlette, Charles Monroe, and Charla Annette. They raised their children in Crockett, Texas. Charles and Gloria’s marriage was filled with love and travel. Their favorite destinations  included California, Louisiana, and Corpus Christi, Texas.

Charles believed in providing for and supporting his family.  To support his family, he worked at Dolly Madison,Inc. for several years building furniture. He later obtained a Texas Life and Health Insurance license and was employed by the National Life Insurance for several years. Then he worked for American General Life Insurance Company for almost ten years.

He was professionally and affectionately known as “The Insurance Man,” in Houston County and surrounding areas. After leaving the insurance business, he worked briefly for Brookshire Brothers.  Some of his fondest memories were working for the U.S. Forest Service in Ratcliff, Texas. It was there that he felt truly appreciated.

Charles loved reading, studying, and teaching the Word of God.  He had a passion for reading and writing poetry. One poem he wrote and shared was “You are somebody”. In addition to writing, he enjoyed spending time with God, listening to his collection of vinyl records, especially his favorite musical groups, The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Pilgrim Jubilees, and playing his beloved guitar. From Camp Street to Bishop McKnight’s church, Charles surrounded himself with music.  Due to his love of music, he taught himself to play the guitar. He even played several years for St. Matthew Baptist Church under Pastor Reagans. When his children were growing up, he could be found playing and singing with them. Another favorite pastime activity that he loved, was playing Solitaire. A daily habit was to sit on the porch and study the Bible as well as wave to long-time neighbors, Rosetta and Jim Cooper and Mary Sims.  In his final days, after turning 90 years old, Charles still drove himself around Crockett in his blue F-150 to run errands. He enjoyed eating out at his favorite restaurants, Dairy Queen and  Brookshire Brothers’ Deli, and frequented the Senior Citizen’s Center on Thursdays.

Charles was well known throughout East Texas because he did not meet strangers. He enjoyed drinking coffee and meeting people at Brookeshire Brothers, shopping at Walmart, and just  being out and about in the community where he laid down roots.  He enjoyed talking about the Bible, having discussions about old times which included Camp Street, and visiting family. Most of all, he loved sitting on the porch with his wife, visiting their children, and watching sports.  He knew many families in Crockett and the surrounding areas and enjoyed talking about genealogy and biblical history.

On January 5, 2025, Charles Edward Conley departed this life.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Gloria Conley, one daughter (AnneciaCharlette Conley), his son; Charles Monroe Conley, his daughter in-law, Lawanda Baker; son in-law, Allen Frye; parents: John Monroe Conley and Creola Perry Conley; sister, Edna Pearl Todd; four brothers: Robert Lee Conley, John Lee Conley, Edgar Conley, Johnny Harold Conley, two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Lipscomb, Bertha R. Brown and brother-in-law, Dr. Vernon Hickerson.

Left to cherish his memory are three children: Charla Conley (caregiver), Dr. Charisse Gardner (Apostle Jorge Gardner), Duane Baker, and RemonaBoodoo-Frye; grandchildren: Erica Francis and Alexis Baker, great-grandchildren: Anyria Cochran, Elias Francis, Josiah Baker, and Jayda Baker, brothers-in-law: Marvin “Bud” Todd, Charles Brown, Stanley Kennard, Raymond Lipscomb, Lonny Lipscomb (Josie), sisters in-law: Vera J. Hickerson and Sylvia J. Lee (Raymond), and  host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

Charles lived a life full of faith, love, music, and service. His legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

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