Charles Edward Houston Jr.

1941 - 2025

Charles Edward Houston, Jr., of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2025. He was born on March 13, 1941, in Savannah, Georgia, to the late Rev. Charles E. Houston, Sr. and the late Mary Patterson Houston.

Raised in Tuckahoe, New York, in the devout community of Shiloh Baptist Church, Charles grew up surrounded by faith, family, and service. He attended Main Street Elementary and graduated from Tuckahoe High School with the Class of 1959. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University in 1963 and his Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1965.

On December 24, 1966, Charles married his wife of 17 years, Innocencia Maria Figueroa, and had two children, Traci Lynn Houston and Todd Edward Houston (JD) that he loved deeply.

Charles was a distinguished attorney and a man committed to justice and community development. His career reflected a belief that law could be a tool for fairness, opportunity, and human dignity. Charles practiced law for over 5 decades, often being the singular legal voice fighting for those marginalized by systemic barriers involving redlining, sentencing disparities, bad faith insurance, and predatory inclusion.

Charles served as Legal Counsel to the President of Sea Pines Resort, C. Fraser, the visionary founder and developer of Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island. As corporate legal counsel, Charles was responsible for crafting the legal framework that formed the covenants preserving the resort's low-density, environmentally conscious development and land-use initiatives. This set of policies and covenants became a model for future master planned communities and resorts both in the U.S. and in the Caribbean.

Further, Charles was instrumental in leading successful legal efforts to resolve major heirs' property cases on Hilton Head Island-work that safeguarded generational land ownership and strengthened community stability. Much of this work was done pro bono, consuming hundreds of individual man hours in sacrifice of personal gain.

Charles also contributed to early New York City affordable housing initiatives through the New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Working with the New York State Financing Agency, he helped to shape policy on financing, labor, rentals, relocation, and public accountability.

A descendant of the Gullah Geechee people through the Patterson family, Charles was profoundly proud of his Hilton Head Island heritage. His grandparents were among the first freedmen to own land on the island after emancipation-tilling the soil, building homes, founding churches, and establishing businesses. This is the cloth he was cut from and the entrepreneurial, intrepid spirit that guided him throughout his life and career.

Charles was a member of W.O.R.D. Ministries Christian Center under the pastorate care of the Late Apostle George D. Hamilton. He was a past member and usher for Saint Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, TX. He enjoyed receiving the word of God from Creflo Dollar of World Changers and Reverend Raphael G. Warnock, Ph.D. of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Charles was funny, charming and smart. He could recite case law and the bible by book, chapter, and verse. During his free time, Charles enjoyed shrimping, crabbing, and perfecting his craft in the culinary arts. He was a classic car collector and wardrobe enthusiast. He was a proud member of the American Bar Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Charles and Mary P. Houston, his first wife, Innocencia Maria Figueroa Houston, stepdaughter Leslie Doggett; and his sisters, Mary Annette Houston and Jeanne Adelaide Houston.

He is survived by his children, Traci Lynn Houston and (JD) Todd Edward Houston; his sister, Cornelia Houston Hall (John); grandchildren, Walter Houston Jones, Madison Maria Houston, and Victoria Howell Houston; nieces, Dr. Alexandria E. Wright and Nicole R. Callahan (JaMell); nephew, Maurice R. Wright, Jr.; great nieces London and Brooklyn Callahan, great nephew, Cairo Callahan; and second wife, Gwendolyn Todd Houston, stepdaughter Crystal Todd.

The Family of Charles E. Houston, Jr., would like to share their sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone for the many acts of kindness and support extended to them during this period of mourning.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in the chapel at St John's Episcopal Church, 3480 E Main St, College Park, GA 30337.

A Repast will be held immediately after the ceremony from 12-4 p.m. at College Park Women's Club, 3413 Main St, College Park, GA 30337.

Arrangements are entrusted to F.L. Sims Funeral Home.

If so compelled, in memory of Charles, the family asks that a contribution to National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice be made by visiting his memorial website at https://everloved.com/life-of/charles-edward-houston/ and clicking the "give" button.

Charles will be remembered for his warmth, compassion, intellect, and generosity-a man of deep faith and quiet strength whose legacy endures in the lives he touched.