Biography: CHARLES WOODARD MEARS SR.

Charles Woodard Mears Sr. was born on June 4, 1939, to the late Myra Mears in Columbia, South Carolina. During his childhood, he moved to New York City with his mother, who established their home in Harlem. Growing up in New York helped shape the man he would become, instilling in him the values of responsibility, perseverance, and service.

As a young man, Charles joined the United States Air Force, answering the call to serve his country. After completing his military service, he continued his commitment to public service by joining the New York City Police Department in 1969. Over the course of his twenty-year career, Charles held several important responsibilities within the department. He worked as a Housing Police Officer in both Harlem and the South Bronx before spending the final years of his career serving as a housing liaison for the Police Academy. His career reflected a longstanding dedication to the people and communities of New York City. He retired in 1989, concluding two decades of service.

Outside of his career, Charles devoted himself to the life he built with his beloved wife, Sallie Mae Sullivan Mears. Married for 62 years, Charles and Sallie shared a lifetime of experiences, raising their children, welcoming new generations into the family, and creating a foundation that would endure long after them. Their marriage represented a lasting partnership through the many seasons of life.

Together, they raised four children: Jeffrey, Barbara, Charles Jr., and Kenneth, affectionately known as Kenny. As their family grew, Charles and Sallie became grandparents and great-grandparents, adding new chapters to a family story that began with their own union.

The memories Charles and Sallie created with their family included gatherings with their children and grandchildren, visits to Georgia, cruises, and trips to casinos. These experiences became part of the family’s shared history, treasured moments that connected generations and gave loved ones stories to carry forward.

Charles’s life encompassed military service, a career in law enforcement, and more than six decades of marriage. Each chapter contributed to the story of a man whose journey began in South Carolina and continued through a lifetime in New York City. His years of service and the family he helped build remain important parts of his legacy.

Charles leaves behind his children: Jeffrey; Barbara Mouzon (Joseph); Charles Jr. (Yvonne); and Kenneth. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Sheenia, Darius, William, Trevor (Jada), Conrad, and Danielle; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous relatives, friends, and loved ones whose lives were connected to his.

Charles Woodard Mears Sr. will be remembered through the history of his service, the years he shared with his wife, and the generations of family who carry his story forward. Though his presence will be deeply missed, the memories created throughout his life will remain a lasting part of the family he leaves behind.