Charles Alex Obituary

Charles Lee Alex entered into eternal life on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025. He was born on December 16, 1931, to the late Charlie and Elsie May (Winnegan) Alex. While working as an appliance repairman and other odd jobs to earn money, he graduated from Huntington Negro High School in Newport News, Virginia, in 1949. He continued working while he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Virginia State College (now University) in 1953. He was also a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) and sang as a Tenor in the a capella choir. After graduating from college, he began his career as an officer in the United States Army Chemical Corp and later the Quartermaster Corp.
Charles married Annie Marie" Tootsie" Fowlkes in 1954 whom he met at Virginia State College. They grew the family while stationed stateside Alabama (Karen) Missouri (Carl) Virginia (Roger) California (Paul) and abroad Germany (Irvin) and France (Linda). He also completed two tours in Korea and Vietnam earning a Bronze Star.
After retiring from the military in 1974 as a Major at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert, California, Charles moved his family of eight to Newport News, VA. He began his second career as a Contract Administrator Supervisor for Tenneco before moving onto Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding which is now Huntington Ingalls Industries. He was known for his professionalism, integrity and great sense of humor but especially for bringing homemade French pastries, cakes, pies and cookies to share with coworkers.
Charles and his family were members of and regularly worshipped at Fort Eustis Regimental Memorial Chapel. There, he was a trusted and respected usher and sang in the choir. He was often heard humming a tune while walking down the hall by his grandchildren, which brought them much delight. He had an extensive cassette tape and album collection of jazz, soul and classical music.
Charles was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, backyard farmer, DIY enthusiast, a loving son, brother, uncle, father-in-law and brother-in-law. He taught many of his sisters-in-law how to drive, and was always ready for a debate about current events. He was famous for his creamy rice puddings, savory barbeque beans with Smithfield ham and filet mignon cooked to perfection. He taught his children foraging and survival skills while stationed in the Mojave Desert.
Charles is survived by his children Irvin (Elizabeth), Karen Allison, retired General Carl (Olesya), Roger (Karen), Linda (Anthony) Watson and Paul (Becky); 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Elloris Spratley and her children Cynthia Cypress, Earl Spratley, Gerald Spratley, Angela Clarke and Gary Spratley; sisters-in-law Joyce (William) Campbell, Sereda Fowlkes, Jeanne Bridgeforth; brothers-in-law Wilfredo Rivera and Waverly (Margaret) Fowlkes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, the Ayers Family, and countless loving friends and neighbors mourn him. His gentle and kind spirit will be missed by everyone who knew him.
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