April 17, 2024, 84, Tarboro —

March 20, 1940 – April 17, 2024

Charles Raymond Hooten, 84, finished his course of faith and stepped into life eternal with his Savior on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Charles was born in Lenoir County to the late Jesse Pettigrew and Faye Dawson Hooten on March 20, 1940. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice Summerlin Hooten; his second wife, Louise Eason Hooten; his siblings, J.P. Hooten, Doris Hooten Anderson, and Chester Hooten; and his nieces, Karen Hooten Fulcher, Jean Hooten Davis, and Jane Hooten Khalilian-Reese.

Charles began his career with Burlington Mills in 1963 and was faithfully employed with the same company for the duration of his career, retiring in 2001. Marrying Alice Summerlin in December 1982, the two enjoyed a happy life of love and devotion for over 28 years until her death in January 2003. After her death, Charles was truly blessed to find and marry Louise Eason in April 2005. Though their life together was short, they enjoyed six happy years.

Getting together with family was a highlight for Charles, especially when food was involved. He often spent the weekend with his late niece, Jean Davis, where she would prepare wonderful meals much to his enjoyment. In later years, he enjoyed his weekly visit with his niece, Sandra, where a trip to Wilbur’s Barbecue was always in order. He loved a good meal, but nothing made it better than a little dessert to top it off.

Grateful for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, Charles lived his faith openly, was readily able to quote scripture, and always wanted to be involved in church. When he moved away from Tarboro to live in Goldsboro, he attended Faith Free Will Baptist Church as often as he could. While Charles’s life wasn’t always easy and he, like us all, often fell short of the glory of God, he was keenly aware of God’s mercy and grace and lived a life of testimony to Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

A service to remember Charles’s life will be held by the graveside at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Wilson, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Charles is survived by his nieces and nephews, Sandra Cromer, Jay Hooten (Andrea), Billy Hooten (Julie), Donna Dickens (John), Phyllis Phillips (Charles), and Bryan Hooten (Amy).

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.