Dr. Charles O. Boyette

     Dr. Charles Otis Boyette, age 81, a resident of Belhaven, NC, died Sunday, March 13, 2016, at his home.

     A celebration of his life will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Wilkinson Center, 144 West Main Street, Belhaven, NC, officiated by Rev. Cris Noble and Rev. Craig Hagen. Burial will follow in Belhaven Community Cemetery. George Boyette III, Ed Boyette, Nicholas Cristiano, Ryan Boyette, Alan Batchler, Tim Johnson, Rod Lancaster and Russ Lancaster will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Bryson Boyette, John Jones, Nelda Jennette and Paul Batchler.

     The family will receive friends 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2016, at the Wilkinson Center.

     Dr. Boyette was born in Chadbourn, Columbus County, NC, on March 6, 1935, son of the late George Otis Boyette, Sr. and the late Kiva Brown Boyette. He was a 1953 graduate of Chadbourn High School where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Following high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he majored in history and pre-med. In college he was captain of the wrestling team and also participated in football and track. After graduation in 1957, he attended the UNC School of Medicine, receiving his doctorate in 1961. He next served his country as a U.S. Navy Flight Surgeon until 1964. Dr. Boyette then relocated to Belhaven and established the C.O. Boyette Medical Clinic where he served the area until his death. He recently celebrated his 51st anniversary of practicing medicine in Belhaven.

     Dr. Boyette had many professional and medical affiliations which included President of North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians; President of Beaufort County Community College Foundation (since 1985); Member of North Carolina Medical Society; Member of North Carolina Institute of Medicine; Member of Governor’s Commission on Infant Mortality; Member of North Carolina Medical Directors Association; Medical Director of: Hyde County Health Care Units, Hyde County Health Department, Hydeland Home Health, Hydeland Hospice, Hyde County EMS, and Cross Creek Healthcare Facility. He was Chief of Staff at Pungo District Hospital for 19 years and active medical staff for 48 years.

     On a political level, he served as Chairman of the Belhaven Democratic Precinct, Council Member of the Town of Belhaven and member of Beaufort County Democratic Executive Committee. He was Mayor of the Town of Belhaven for 30 years and former Chairman of the Beaufort County Mayor’s Association.

   His awards include Belhaven Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, North Carolina Family Physician of the Year, Governor of North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine, National Family Physician of the Year-Runner-up, and Honorary Fireman of Belhaven. The award he was most proud of was the United States Country Doctor of the Year, as his patients meant as much to him as he did to them.

     Dr. Boyette was a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Belhaven. He was also an Honorary Member of the Belhaven Fire and Rescue Department. His hobbies included gardening, swimming, boating, water-skiing, wildlife conservation and improving the Belhaven community and area.

     Survivors include a son: Charles O. “Chuck” Boyette, Jr. and wife Melissa of Wilmington; three daughters: Marie B. Cristiano of Greenville, Cherryl B. Sullivan and husband Troy of Alexandria, VA and Carla Boyette of Charleston, SC; a brother, James O. Boyette of Bigfork, MT, and seven grandchildren: Nicholas Cristiano, Ryan Boyette, Alissa Boyette, Bryson Boyette, Colin Sullivan, Evan Sullivan and Nathan Boyette. Dr. Boyette was predeceased by three brothers: George O. Boyette, Jr., William O. Boyette and Robert O. Boyette.

     In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be made in support of the efforts to re-open the hospital in Belhaven, a cause Dr. Boyette was very passionate about. Checks can be sent to Pungo Medical Center (PMC), P.O. Box 220, Belhaven, NC 27810, or to the charity of one’s choice in his memory.

     Dr. Boyette’s video tribute may be viewed and condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

     Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Boyette family.