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Thursday, June 25, 2020 •
www.sdvoice.info
The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
Remembering
Rebecca Marie Charles A woman of honor and integrity, a humanitarian, a community activist, a pioneer in the city of San Diego, a people person, she cared about people and created ways to improve their lives. She was always thinking of the “next project” and would move quickly to materialize that goal. She was not a lone ranger; she encouraged and persuaded others to get involved and do their part. That was Rebecca “Becky” Charles, a woman of faith and spirituality who departed her earthly life on Sunday morning June 14 in the year 2020 in her apartment at St. Paul’s Manor in Chula Vista, California. Rebecca was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. She thrived in a loving home with her mother, Carrie Thomas Hayes, adoptive father, Willie Hayes and siblings Willie Hayes Jr., James Hayes and Helen Carol, all who have preceded her in death. Rebecca was first introduced to humanitarianism and the need to fight for justice when, as a teen, she walked beside her mother with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., picketing for change in Mobile. Becky graduated from Central High School in Mobile and attended Teacher’s College. In 1958, she met a young Trinidadian merchant marine sailor at Sunday church services in Mobile. His name was Sutcliff Charles. He had been told that if he wanted to meet a “good American girl” to go to church. As she stated in a church presentation 30 plus years later, “I was immediately enthralled with this black man speaking with a Spanish accent. I didn’t know black people spoke Spanish!” Their attraction to each other turned to love and marriage. They wed in 1958 and enjoyed a love that never dimmed. In 1987, shortly before Sutcliff ’s death, they celebrated their upcoming 30th Anniversary by repeating their wedding vows at Christ the King Church. Their union was blessed with 3 children: daughter, Karen and sons, Darryl and Terrance.
Becky and Sutcliff moved to San Diego soon after their marriage. He left the merchant marines and joined the U.S. Navy. San Diego would be their home base and they would start a family here. Sutcliff would begin his military climb to Master Chief and Becky returned to school attending San Diego State University to complete her Nursing Education. She retired from Naval Regional Medical Center as a Clinical Nurses Specialist.
be signed off as to their “readiness” by their priest. Within a few months, Christ the King Chapter #371 was initiated with 12 men and 27 ladies. Within the next year, a Junior Daughter Court was initiated. Becky spearheaded the court as Grand Lady and among other charitable endeavors introduced the Ladies to the service needed at Rachael’s Women Center, which remains one of #371’s charitable endeavors.
Rebecca used her professional nursing and organizational skills to improve and change the health and living conditions of the underprivileged, underserved and displaced. In San Diego, the family joined and worshipped at Christ the King Catholic Church (CTK). Becky joined the Altar Society, completed classes for Eucharistic member, and served as a lecturer. She served as Hospitality Committee Chairperson, developing a trifold brochure for new members. She used her resources to bring black speakers to CTK for Black History Month, Black Catholic Month and MLK Jr.’s Birthday.
Becky was also active in our Western State District. After serving her term as Grand Lady of #371, she was appointed Area Deputy of San Diego. At a Western State Conference, Becky met a fellow member, Knight Clifton Vaughn Watts, a recent widower. They bonded over their common interests and their friendship led to the 2nd marriage for both of them. They enjoyed many of the same activities. As a couple, they worked together to establish the second KPC Chapter in San Diego, which was several years in the planning. St. Rita’s Catholic Church Chapter #384 was officially initiated in March 2007. Unfortunately, Knight Watts was not present with Becky at the ceremony as he had passed in December 2006. Becky was therein high spirits as she had great faith and strength and always, always rose to the occasion.
Rebecca Charles loved people and fulfilled a great societal need and will leave a great opportunity for others to step up and be counted. Her nursing knowledge and compassionate skills helped her to fulfill her advocacy of educating and providing improved healthcare for the “many” and fulfill other pursuits of community activism. She served as chairperson of the American Cancer Society, Southeastern Chapter. She established a networking group of African American women breast cancer survivors called “Sisters In Survival.” She organized cancer health fairs at churches and conferences, teaching preventative measures and how to detect early signs and symptoms. She said she had this profound need to prevent cancer deaths because she lost her mother to ovarian cancer and husband, Sutcliff to prostate cancer. She wrote a grant and obtained funds from the state of California to develop a statewide teaching program to target African American males and educate them on early detection and testing. The education was provided statewide through churches. She also developed a “Sister to Sister” program with immigrant and refugee women to help them bond and integrate into American culture. She personally cooked meals or purchased restaurant dinners to feed the homeless women at Rachael’s Women Center in downtown San Diego. As a faithful participating Catholic Christian, she was most proud to bring the Knights of St. Peter Claver chapters to Southern California. She met with National and Western District leaders, then sought an audience with Bishop Broom, bishop of the Diocese of San Diego and Imperial Counties and she received the go ahead. Then, it was “recruiting’ time as it required 12 men and 12 women to initiate a new chapter. She was supported by Pastor, Father Eddie and Deacon Marvin Threatt. St. Peter Claver is a Catholic Fraternal Organization and requires each person to
She was active in other organizations as well: she was a board member of “Power,” an organization for supporting women in recovery from substance abuse and homelessness; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Women Inc.; Honorary Buffalo Soldier; Past Member of the San Diego Black Nurses Association. Always a people person, always the idea person, always the organizer, she headed up many special events at St. Paul’s Manor. She has been honored and received numerous awards for her community activism: In 1982, the Association of U.S. Military Surgeons bestowed her a Lifetime Membership; In 2001, San Diego Deputy Mayor George Stevens declared August 24, 2001 “Ms. Rebecca Charles Day”; she received the “Woman of the Year” Award from the Salvation Army, presented at a huge banquet; in 2008, she received the “Humanitarian of the Year” Award from the Knights of St. Peter Claver Western District Conference; in 2010, she received a Special Commendation as a San Diego Black Pioneer from Council Member Anthony “Tony” Young; in 2014, she was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation by Assemblywoman Dr. Shirley Weber; in 2015, she was bestowed with the “Unsung Hero” Award from the Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper for her advocacy of support for persons, families and organizations; the American Cancer Society honored her for “Outstanding Leadership & Dedication”; she received a Certificate in recognition of her support for the Affordable Care Act; she was honored by the Knights of St. Peter Claver Western States District for being San Diego Area Deputy from 2004 to 2010 and she received the Knights of St. Peter Claver prestigious Silver Medal Award for her extraordinary community outreach and advocacy. Loved one and friends grieving her departure are: Daughter, Karen Charles, Sons, Darryl Charles and Terrence Charles (Riverside, CA), Daughter, Ann Marie Sylvester (Trinidad), Daughter-in-law, Bonnie Charles, Grandchildren, Shavone Charles, Ryan Charles, Darryl Charles Jr., Brandon Powell, Daris Powell, Jewel Wilson, Christian Blanks, Terrence Charles Jr., Joseph Charles, Ayana Sylvester and Dexter Sylvester and Fifteen Great Grandchildren. She also leaves a long host of friends, acquaintances and the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver Family who will forever miss her presence. Mrs. Charles was funeralized Wed., June 24, 2020 at 11am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Deacon Dr. Marvin Threatt presiding. Following the service, she was transported to her final earthly resting place at Greenwood Cemetary with the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Calver in full regalia.