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May 13, 1946 - March 9, 2011
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May 13, 1946 - March 9, 2011
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| Life Reflections |
Michael Lee Charles was born May 13, 1946 to Odessa Scercy and Robert Charles in Kansas City, Missouri. Both parents, his brother Robert Scercy, and sister Ozella Charles Lewis preceded him in death.
It was evident Michael would fulfill his God given purpose in life when he accepted Christ at such an early age. He then began to nurture the gifts and callings on his life. Although music and education became the focal points in his life his first love was God then family.
Michael began his singing career at the age of nine while in the Male Chorus of the Mariah Walker AME Church, then pastured by the late Rev. A.L. Carter. As a youngster, Michael would spend as much time as he could in church and around those who played the piano or organ~ It was his dream to be a musician and singer. The Lord made his dream a reality.
After singing with various groups in and around Kansas City, Michael started his very own group, "The Original Voices of Faith" in 1962. They sang for several years, traveling throughout the continental United States and recorded for Jewel Records of Shreveport, Louisiana. The group separated when two of its members were called to serve in the armed forces.
Michael started singing with one of his idol groups, "The Raymond Rasberry Singers" of Cleveland, Ohio and traveled the length and breadth of the country with the group. Many opportunities and rich experiences were gained from this time with the Rasberry Singers. Shortly after Michael reunited the Michael Charles Singers.
Michael returned home to further his education and enrolled in Central Missouri State University, where he earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Classroom Instruction. He continued to study at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he earned an Education Specialist Degree in Reading, later receiving his doctorate. He then, attended Yale University School of Music.
Through the years, Professor Charles has worked with many groups in the Kansas City area. After 20 plus years of faithful service he retired as the Minister of Music of St. James United Methodist Church under the leadŽership of Rev. Emanuel Cleaver II. He was the former Minister of Music of the historic Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, where he served for 17 years. He was currently serving as International Minister of Music of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc., National Convention-Member of the Board of Directors, National Minister of music emeritus, International Secretary of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Church Administrator for Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, President of the Membership committee, Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, and Minister of Music emeritus of Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ. It is very evident that Michael loved his church and his church family.
Not only was Professor Charles a talented singer, director and musician, he was also a highly respected songwriter and arranger with more than 200 songs to his credit, many of which have been recorded by national and local recording artists.
Michael has appeared on various radio and television shows, including the Bobby Jones Gospel Hour on BET. He has traveled extensively from coast to coast and was warmly received and appreciated by all who heard him.
Among many other accolades he served as Minister of Music for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the SCLC, Board Member of the Midwest Conference of Christian Artists, Inc., Member of the National Association of African American Males, member of the Gospel Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, as gospel music consultant to the International Jazz Hall of Fame, board member of the Kansas City Boys . Choir and was founder of Alpha Mu Lamda, the first professional Gospel Music Fraternal organization for the perpetuation of Black Gospel Music.
Michael spent most of his musical time coordinating the music activities for a great number of churches in the community, composing and arrangŽing songs, coordinating musical events for various churches and community-based organizations, and from time to time, traveling as a solo artist and workshop facilitator. He had planned to record a series of CD projects capturing his many musical moods, publish a songbook "From the Pen of
. Michael Charles" and another edition of his book "There Is A Ray Of Hope." He also recently published a book titles "The Minister of Music's Guidebook."
Professor Charles was the Dean of Education, where he created, formulated, and designed the curriculum for the Afrikan Centered Education Collegium Campus.
Michael formally worked as the Program Director for the Kansas City Freedom School Initiative with responsibilities for Freedom Schools in both Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri.
Michael made his transitory change late in the evening Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Northland Hospice Care Center in North Kansas City, MO with family members and friends at his side.
He is survived by the sons he raised and loved dearly, Franko Johnson, Earl Brock, Jamie Jones and Dwayne Williams - Kansas City, Missouri; 8 grandchildren, especially his beloved Spencer Gabrielle JohnsonŽ Charles, one brother, Mr. Victor E. Charles - Kansas City, Missouri, six sisters: Lucille Williams - Higginsville, Missouri, Minister Laura Pollard - Blue Springs, Missouri, Dona Elmore, Linda Byrd, Rita Robinson (Howard) and Rosemary Smith (Anthony) - all of Kansas City, Missouri, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members; two brothŽers by choice: Billy Clark - Los Angeles, California and Clement Triplett - Grandview, Mo, church members and devoted friends.
