Charles Stinson

Mr. Charles Edward Stinson, 71, was born on July 27, 1941 in Griffin, GA. He transitioned from his earthly life on Saturday, November 24, 2012. He was a man whose entire existence could be summed up in three simple words: family, faith, and dedication. The son of the late Alance and Fanny Odessa Stinson and widower of his beloved wife Mary Stinson, he used the Bible as both his road map and manual for living.

Because of his experience as a medic in the Vietnam War, he was motivated to pursue a career in healthcare once he returned to Griffin. The veteran became one of the first African Americans in the area to become an EMT and later had a storied career at the Spalding County Regional Medical Center. He was honored in 2007 for 45 years of service as a registered nurse at the hospital and continued to work in the emergency room for years before retiring. Many people credit their survival to his professionalism, practicality, and prayers.

Mr. Stinson loved music. At Barrow Chapel United Methodist Church, where he was the choir director and a lifelong member, he used his voice and musical talents as a means of delivering praises to his Savior. Mr. Stinson taught his grandchildren and children how to sing and play the piano as well. He was as much a father to grandsons: Savon Charles Stinson and Demarcus Ellis; and granddaughter, Skylar Marie Hill, as he was to his three daughters: Ms. Sonya Hill and Mrs. Senya (Sherrod) Ellis of Griffin, GA; and Ms. Katika Lovett of Hampton, GA. They have very few recollections of him that do not involve him teaching them lessons about the Lord, tending to plants and flowers, or caring for the animals over whom he had been given dominion.

In addition to his children and grandchildren, several siblings are left to cherish his memory: Mr. Alance Stinson, Mr. Luther Gene (Linda) Stinson, Mr. Robert Stinson, Mr. Jackie (Mary) Stinson, Rev. Shirley Gardner, Mrs. Shirley (Grady) Banks, and Mr. Walter Gerald Stinson, all of Griffin; Mrs. Maggie Jester of Cleveland, Ohio; Mr. James Stinson of Dixon, Illinois, and Mr. Carlton Stinson of Lima, Ohio. His sister, Mrs. Dorothy Stinson-Farley, and brother, Mr. Wilbert (Dorothy) Colbert, both preceded him in death, but an infinite number of relatives and friends can be counted among his survivors as well.

Services for Mr. Stinson will be Friday, November, 30, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Carver Road Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Griffin Memorial Gardens. Reverend Alvin McDonald will officiate. Friends may visit the family Thursday, November 29, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Because he had such an amazing impact on so many people, the entire community will mourn his death and celebrate his legacy. Heritage Funeral Home 1512 Williamson Rd. Griffin, GA 30224 is charge of arrangements www.heritagefhgriffin.com.