Reverend Charles Ray Wilhite

Born in Mangham, Louisiana, on October 4, 1954, to Foster and Annie Bell Wilhite, Charles spent his early years in Richland Parish, where he attended Alto High School. He joined China Grove Baptist Church, where he was baptized and accepted Christ at an early age. He moved to the Monroe area with his family in the early 70’s and married Sharon Bradley in November 1977 and raised two sons, Eric and Charles Jr. In March 1997, he married Diane Collins and remained united until his transition. He worked for several years for Misco Paper Plant as a Machine Operator as well as Union Representative and at Conway Trucking until his retirement. Charles was a member of St. John Baptist Church in Alto, where he served as Youth Minister under Reverend Tom Baker.

After his retirement, he spent his time attending school and sports activities with his children and grandchildren as well as traveling. His love and support for family were always an important part of his focus, but facing illness brought them into sharper focus.

His relationships deepened with extended family members in the conversations they had, time spent in prayer, and in expressions of love and gratitude that might not have happened otherwise.

The love and wisdom Charles gained through his journey doesn’t disappear.

Though he has left this physical world, his spirit remains in his survivors and in all the lives he has touched.

Charles Ray Wilhite, Sr., transitioned from this life on December 17, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Foster Sr.; two brothers, Jimmy and Foster Jr.; and a sister, Rhonda.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his mother, Annie Bell Wilhite; wife, Diane Wilhite; children, Cameshia Collins, Mario Wilhite (Monroe), Charles Wilhite, Jr., (Andrill), Eric Bradley (Kanika), Davion Gibson (Monroe), Roy Lawson, Gary Lawson (Champagne, IL), Iesha Wilhite, Charles Wilhite III (Springfield, MA), and Regina Baker (Houston, TX); three sisters, Millie Atkins, Letha Owens (Monroe), and Sheila Wilder (Dean) (Markham, IL); his grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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