Elder Charles W. Warfield III

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Church COVID Protocol

Mask Required and the Church Follows all CDC Requirements. Social Distancing Will be Practiced.

Calling Hours, Sunday, January 17, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, 1200 Brentnell Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43219. Service at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive flowers at the church. Entombment Green Lawn Cemetery, Monday, January 18, 2021 at noon.

Charles William Warfield III went home to be with the Lord on January 6, 2021, at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He was 78 years old.  His final days were filled with the reflections of his greatest pride and joy: his family. He was blessed to be surrounded by those closest to him during his final stages of transition. How his life ended was a grave expression of how his life began. Charles’ life journey was a testament to his strength, endurance, and continued ability to beat the odds. The same grace and strength that he encountered during his early years, would be the same attributes displayed for years to come.

Charles was born on May 2, 1942, in Columbus, OH to Charles William Warfield II and Martha Bryant Warfield. His early childhood was marred by tragedy; his father died when Charles was just two years old. A short while later, he witnessed the brutal stabbing of his pregnant mother. He was left alone at home for three days before a neighbor found him and notified his extended family that he had been abandoned.

Amid the chaos, God’s hand moved, and Charles was taken to Pittsburgh to be reared by his maternal grandparents, Elder Henry and Sister Nettie Johnson, and with his cousin Gayle Richburg and a host of foster children. It was in Pittsburgh with his grandparents loving but strict teaching that Charles became the man we all know and love. As a child, Charles had severe asthma and began to display his flair for the dramatic by insisting that Gayle pull him around the neighborhood in a wagon because he was too sick to walk.

Charles was brought up at Lincoln Avenue Church of God in Pittsburgh where he gained many lifelong friends. There he was taught to read and understand scripture, and he learned how to live for Christ and how to play the tambourine. Camp Meeting at The Church of God campgrounds in West Middlesex, PA, was the highlight of the summer for Charles. His grandfather had been instrumental in building the campgrounds, and his family never missed the annual trip. In his teenage years, when he had a head full of hair, he could be seen shaking his hair over the balcony railing. He had a love for the old church hymns sung at Camp Meeting and kept several hymnals by his bedside. In his final days, his children would read hymns to him, and he would recite the words along with them.

Charles relocated to Columbus when he was 19 years old, where he met and married Delores Shaw on May 12, 1973. He was a devoted father to four children, who he often described as being the center of his world. He was so proud to see each of them receive college degrees and become successful in their careers.

When he first moved to Columbus, Charles became a member of Northside Church of God, later serving for 10 years in ministry at Southeast Apostolic Mission. He became an ordained Elder of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and had the honor of baptizing all four of his children in Jesus’ name. He had a passion for teaching and youth ministry, frequently chaperoning youth trips to Ohio District Council meetings.

Charles became a member of Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith and remained faithful to the ministry for over 30 years. He served as an advisor to the Apostolic Youth for Christ, Greeter, Sunday School teacher, Vice Chairman of Foreign Missions, and was part of the transportation ministry. He was pleased to participate in mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Charles was a faithful member of the Golden Agers, never missing an opportunity to eat and talk with the group. 

Charles made multiple trips to Israel and had a passion for the Jewish people. His desire to learn more about the culture led him to attend weekly service at Beth Jacob Congregation in Columbus. He had many close relationships with members of the synagogue and taught about Jewish culture at several churches in the area.

Charles retired from The Ohio State University after 34 years of service. After retiring, he enjoyed working as a Standardized Patient in the Clinical Skills Education and Assessment Center in the College of Medicine. For many years he taught Bible Survey, Homiletics, Hermeneutics and Public Speaking courses at Aenon Bible College. He also had the pleasure of hosting the ‘I Believe’ program on WBNS 10TV for many years.

His love for people could be seen through his world travel adventures, commitment to teaching and mentoring, and the memories he spent building with his family. He lived a rich life: one filled with creating opportunities for long-lasting impressions. His love for his family was witnessed and known by all who connected with him. His passion for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ was an obvious known fact for those who had even a brief encounter with him. His life showed us his strength, endurance, and ability to continue to beat the odds: even until his last breath. But most of all, his life showed us the lifespan of a true disciple. He was a teacher, a servant, and a witness. His life can truly be a paradigm for other believers to follow.

Charles was preceded in death by his grandparents, Octavius Bryant, Henry and Nettie Johnson, Margaret Warfield, Charles I and Harriett Warfield and his parents, Charles II and Martha Warfield. Charles is survived by his wife, Delores Warfield; children, Monet Warfield, Shamelle Warfield, Charles Warfield IV, and Keya Warfield; siblings, Levi (Cynthia) Pierce, Margaret Wills and Leonard Wills; mother-in-law, Bertha Jordan; sister-in-law, Mae Pierce; special cousins, Gayle Richburg, Carl Washington, Jr. and Carla Washington Hall; goddaughters, Asya Ross, Truphelia Makebra Sherman-Parker; godson, Joseph Jones and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and close friends.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Mic 6:8

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