On July 25, 1943, Charles “Charlie” James Sherman was born the seventh of eleven children to Annie Lee Wilcox Sherman and Archibald W. Sherman. Charlie attended local schools and graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1961. He continued his education at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California, where he earned an Associate’s Degree.

In 1964, Charlie married Doris Evetta Hendrix in Bakersfield, California, and soon after the couple moved to Los Angeles. From this union came two children, Charles Anthony Sherman and Doris LaDwan Sherman. To them, he instilled the importance of entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and hard work—values he demonstrated throughout his life.

In 2005, Charlie married Michelle Chatman, adopting her son Larry Harris and daughter Aleya Thompson as his own children forming a loving, committed familial bond, wherein they shared mutual love, support and shared experiences.

Charlie began his professional journey with Los Angeles County Flood Control, where his dedication, strong work ethic, and natural leadership quickly propelled him upward. Over the course of his career, he received numerous awards recognizing his exceptional service, innovation, and commitment to public works. He ultimately became the first black Construction Superintendent at LA County Public Works—an achievement that stood as a testament to his perseverance and excellence. After retiring from LA County, he continued his career as a Contract Administrator for Advanced Cleanup Technology Inc. (ACTI).

An entrepreneur at heart, Charlie also started various businesses and worked in direct sales. He valued family deeply and believed in leading by example through entrepreneurship and strong work ethics. He made it a priority to pass these values on to his children and to involve family in many of his business endeavors.

Charlie accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior at a young age, and rededicated his life to the Lord at the Church of God in 1998. As a devout member of the COG congregation, Charlie worked tirelessly on church projects and spearheaded numerous fundraisers like BBQ plate fundraisers and frying turkeys on Thanksgiving and Christmas each year to help pay off the church mortgage. In his spare time, Charlie could often be found collecting materials and experimenting with prototypes, always searching for new ways to innovate and improve the world around him. He also loved cooking and was known far and wide for his incredible culinary skills. His dishes—especially his award-winning chili beans (which earned him first place in a local contest), hog head cheese, chow chow, chitterlings, and gumbo—were cherished by everyone who knew him, whether family, friends, church members, coworkers, or anyone fortunate enough to partake of his cooking.

Charlie also enjoyed playing board games, giving people fun and memorable nicknames, and adding spontaneous, humorous, twists to songs—turning everyday moments into lasting memories. After fully retiring, he dedicated himself to sharing his passion for the environment and his life experiences through the book he had begun writing.

On November 28, 2025, Charlie told his loving wife, Michelle, “I’m really tired. I’m going to sleep, and please don’t wake me,” and moments later he took his final breath. Charlie—beloved husband, father, and brother—will be dearly missed, but we rejoice knowing he is with our Lord and Savior and reunited with cherished loved ones. He is preceded in death by his mother,

Annie Lee Sherman; father, Archibald W. Sherman; brothers Luther, Robert, Arvie, and Archibald “Sunny”; and sister Jessie Mae. He leaves to mourn his devoted wife, Michelle Chatman-Sherman; his children, Charles Anthony (Olivia) Sherman, Doris LaDwan Sherman, Larry Harris (Tonya Carlisle), and Aleya Thompson. His siblings, Rada (Louise) Grimes, Ethel Dixon (Clem), Willie Sherman (Theresa), Donald Sherman, and Iola Guerra. His grandchildren, Ryan (Aida) Sherman, Maya, Isaac, Malachi Sherman, Dalana, Larry Jr., and Daya Harris. He also leaves behind a host of beloved nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law and extended family, and friends who will forever cherish his memory.