Obituary of Charles Richard Cookson

Charles Richard Cookson (Charlie), 86, passed away from cancer on May 19, 2023 in Beaufort, South Carolina. Even though illness took him away from this world, his cheerful smile, endless optimism, and love of life left a beacon of light for his family and all in the community. He is predeceased by his first wife Nubia Rezende Cookson. He is survived by his second wife Patricia Cookson, three children from his first marriage; Ricardo Cookson (Izaura Cookson) of Miami, Florida, Charles Cookson II (Roseli Cookson) of Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Marcela Boudjemaa (Azzedine Boudjemaa) of Sterling, Virginia, four grandchildren and his brother Forrest Cookson of Dhaka, Bangladesh

After graduating from Princeton, Charlie joined the army, serving in the artillery. He spent more than twenty years in Brazil building a successful business and then returned to the United States. Charlie and his wife settled on Callawassie Island, South Carolina in 2013.

On his many long walks with the family dog “Juno” Charlie stopped to talk to everyone. He was a neighborhood ambassador; he knew nearly every person and dog on Callawassie Island. He loved Beethoven, Puccini, and William Butler Yeats. Charlie excelled at Bridge. Charlie was in every way the perfect husband; kind, considerate, and loving.

He was dedicated to improving the lives of others, especially children. His passion was early childhood literacy. His literacy project, an enormous success, aimed to improve Beaufort County’s children’s reading skills and nurture their love of books.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 1:30 PM at St. Helena’s Anglican Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Donations that will directly support of Charlie’s literacy program can be made in memory of Charles Cookson to:

Palmetto Project

6296 Rivers Avenue, Suite 100

North Charleston, SC 29406

Attention: Charles Cookson Memorial