| Biographical Sketch of Dr. Samuel P. Charleston Samuel Prince Charleston was born the seventh child of Presiding Elder Samuel Henry Charleston and Sarah Gaines Charleston in Midville, Georgia. He was reared in Columbus, Georgia and educated in the public schools of Columbus. He received an A.B. Degree from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, a M.E.D. fro Atlanta University, and studied further at Tuskegee Institute, Columbia University, and the University of Chicago. He held the following positions; Principal of Meriwether County Training School, instructor of social studies at Spencer High School; for many years, principal of Claflin Elementary School; principal of Spencer Junior School, now, Marshall Middle School; for three years served as Faculty Member of Albany State College, Columbus Branch; first principal of Carver Junior High. While under his administration, Carver Junior High developed into Carver Senior High from which he retired in 1970. As a teacher of Spencer High School, he was appointed acting principal for the year 1945, succeeding the principal. Dr. Charleston’s religious affiliations were numerous. He was a member of St. Mark AME Church, in Columbus; former trustee, former chairman of the Building Committee, and President Pr Tem of the Steward Board; for several years he was treasurer of Southwest Georgia Laymen Organization; for seven times he was elected delegate to the General Conference; he was a member of the General Board of Education of the AME Church, the Episcopal Committee which assigns bishops to their respective districts, and the Commission on Higher Education which governs and sets policies of all AME Colleges. His honors are as follows: Progressive Club’s Man of the Year Award, 1960; Citizenship award presented by Georgia Beauty Culture League. In 1967, students, teachers and parents sponsored “S. P. Charleston Day”. In 1970 students, faculty, parents and community gave him an all-paid trip to the Orient, a retirement presentation; in 1976 he received the annual Civic Achievement Award from Morris Brown College; in 1979 the Columbus-Phenix City Business and Professional Woman’s Young Adult Club presented Dr. Charleston its Annual Appreciation Award. Included among other awards are the YMCA Service Award and Iota Phi Lambda Sorority’s Service and Community Award. He has received numerous other awards. He served on the A.J. McClung YMCA Board for more than forty years. He is a member of the Trustee Board of Morris Brown College. For years he served as its secretary and chairman of the nomination committee. Mr. Charleston is a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and charter member of Alpha Phi Sigma Chapter, also one of its founders. Other committee memberships include Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Committee for Community Development, Green Acres Cemetery Committee, Mason, Shriner, Life Member, State YMCA; Personal Committee A. J. McClung YMCA, having served forty years on the Board. He served as chairman of the Education Committee, NAACP, Columbus Branch, and member of the Urban League Education Committee. Other former affiliations include American Red Cross Board; Muscogee County Chapter; Non-Partisan Voters League, served as its first president; has served on State and Federal Juries; first black to sit on Federal Trials in Columbus; was member of 1967 August term Grand Jury which elected Dr. James Grant, first black to serve as a member of Muscogee Board of Education; has chaired annual fund-raising campaigns, National Foundation, March of Dimes-Chattahoochee Chapter. In 1974, Dr. Charleston established the Samuel P Charleston Scholarship which is awarded annually to a Carver High Student who shows promise, unusual ability, and wishes to attend Morris Brown College. Over a period, he has been instrumental in assisting local Morris Brown graduates in securing jobs in the city of Columbus. He contributes liberally to Morris Brown’s programs and is quite active in local and national Alumni affairs. Because of contribution to education, community, and religious activities the 1979 year book, Brownite, was dedicated to him. In 1980 he received the Georgia President’s Higher Education Award. Dr. Charleston was Founder and Organizer of Epsilon Eta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. He also served on the Board of Sigma Zeta Corporation. He equipped the Pastor’s Office of New Bethel AME Church, and he also equipped a Sunday School Room of Ward Chapel AME Church in honor of his mother, Mrs. Sara Ann Gaines Charleston. Evidence of Dr. Charleston’s generosity may be found in many other churches where he contributed to the physical programs. Dr. Charleston’s sisters were actively involved in the community as well. His sister, Mrs. Mattie C. Thomas was a teacher in the Muscogee County School System for many years. His sister, Miss Clara Charleston was for many years, owner and operator of The Charleston Personnel Bureau which afforded employment for many adults and students in Columbus and the surrounding areas; another sister, Mrs. Susie M. Herte was a teacher and Missionary Worker for many, many years. Other contributions Dr. Charleston made to churches were at St. James AME Church where equipped a classroom in memory of his uncle, Bishop John Wesley Gaines. Many Contributions have been made to his own church, St. Mark AME. The erection of a bell many years ago in memory of his sisters Miss Clara E. Charleston and Mrs. Susie Herte, and the establishment of a Self Service Communion set by the family in memory of the Gaines-Charleston Family. Dr. Charleston passed away in was a true Carverlite. May his soul rest in peace. |
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