Charles Manuel Durham a native of Delaware fell asleep in death on June 22, 2017, at Bay Health Hospital in Dover, surrounded with family and friends. He was born to the late Norman and Elizabeth Durham. He was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce Bryant, and his son, Gregory “Cotton” Waters. Charles graduated from Dover High School. He was employed for decades with Kraft (formerly General Foods) until his retirement.

He was a devoted, loving, and patient husband. He was an avid skier. Charles loved fishing, generously shared his catch, and enjoyed his association with his fishing buddies, traveling annually to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Also, Charles and Dorothy, his lovely wife of 54 years, enjoyed traveling, cruising, giving formals for the Christian brothers and sisters, and doing things for the elderly and young ones in the congregation. Charles promoted a wholesome spirit, especially with family and friends. These are just a few of the many pursuits he enjoyed. He was indeed a people person and very loving and giving. We will always remember his warm smile, hugs, and sense of humor. He was eager to give a helping hand, “the shirt off his back,” to anyone in need along with positive encouragement and was a man of integrity.

Charles dedicated his life to Jehovah God as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1967. He was devoted to his faith and family. He enthusiastically shared the Bible’s teachings and promises to all he knew and came in contact with. One of his favorite Scriptures that comforted him was Philippians 4:6, 7: “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.”

He loved All his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren and hoped that they also would develop and maintain a strong relationship with Jehovah God. Charles kept 3rd John verse 4 in mind, which reads: “No greater joy do I have than this: that I should hear that my children go on walking in the truth.”

Charles is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his daughters, Judith Anne Johnson and Lem Johnson, Sharon and her husband Darryl Scrivens; his nieces, Lynne Dyer who was loved like a daughter, Jeanie and husband Howard Hall, Ilea Speight and Karelle Hall, and Auberjenois ‘Bear’ Zerrad; his nephews, Joshua Dyer, Keith Bryant and Joseph Bentley; his cousins, Joyce and husband Herb Bradley, Ronnie and wife Bertha Smith, and Delores Franks; his grandchildren, Georgette ‘Pebbles’ Waters, Dorothy Scott, Eric Wilson, Gregory Wilson, Gabrielle and her husband Brandon Grimes, Joshua Alexander Johnson, Tre and his wife Anastasia Johnson and Julian Scrivens; his great-grandchildren, Justinn Waters, Kristinn Waters, Eugene T. Scott, Jermaine N. Scott, and Siani R. Umoh; his great-great-grandchildren, Natalie Ava-Raine Waters, Noah Cayden Johnson, Myriah Bundy, and Talmah’j G. Scott.

Charles was affectionately called by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, POP-POP, CHOPPERS, SWEETIE HEART, CHOP-CHOP, GRAND POP, PA DURHAM.

Charles will be dearly, dearly missed; but he had a wonderful resurrection hope, a promise from Almighty God Jehovah, a hope of living again in a beautiful earthly paradise.

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