Charles Henry Bookman, Jr. Obituary (1920 - 2015)

Mr. Charles Henry Bookman Jr. of Columbia South Carolina departed this life on May 12, 2015 in Johnston-Willis Rehabilitation Center. Charles was a loving and caring husband, father and friend. He can best be described as a strong, witty, and well-liked man. He was an encourager, caregiver and handy with an unbelievable memory. Charles loved the arts. He was a musician and a very good artist who loved to golf. Charles graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, SC in 1938. After high school he relocated to Massachusetts where he attended a 'Textile Technical School' and was employed as a Clerk in the Trimming department at Har-Lee Manufacturing Company in Fall River, Mass. Charles later joined the Army of the United States in October 1942 and was honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant in November 1945. His decorations and citations included Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. After the Army Charles relocated to New York were he pursued his musical interest by studying music and playing guitar with local groups on weekends. He copied music for various performers including Duke Ellington's son Mercer. He also attended a technical school for Traffic Management. He later worked as a Traffic Coordinator with American Machine and Foundry ("AMF"). While working in New York Charles reunited with and married his childhood/high school sweat heart Ertha Lee Allen Holman. In 1974 the couple and their family (son Brian and Grandmother Francis Allen) relocated to Richmond Virginia. He later retired from SASIB (formally known as AMF) in 1988 at the age of 68. In retirement Charles purchased a beginner's oil painting set and a book to teach himself how to paint. During the Spring he enrolled at J Sargent Reynolds Community College to begin formal training in drawing and painting techniques. He continued to study art at Virginia Commonwealth University. During this time he had his first one-person exhibition. He leaves to cherish his loving memories to the love of his life and wife of 53 years, Ertha Lee Bookman. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles H. Bookman, Sr. and Constance A. Jones Bookman; one son Malcolm A. Holman, one daughter Iris K. Benjamin; one brother William E. Bookman; one sister Margaret Robertson; one grandchild Terrence A. Benjamin; one nephew Walter L. Robertson, Jr. He is survived by two sons Brian M. Bookman (Kisha), Theodore W. Holman (Christine); one daughter Carolyn F. Theobald (Lance, Sr.); two nieces Deborah Robertson - Lopez and Margaret Robertson; two granddaughters Tracey Scully (Winston) and Tarra Holman; five grandsons Lance Theobald Jr. (Patrice), Eric Holman, Trevor Holman, Michael Holman and Shawn Benjamin; and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at the Mimms Funeral Home 1827 Hull St. on Tuesday for a small gathering from 5:00PM - 7:00PM. Remains rest at Mimms Funeral Home 1827 Hull St. where the family will receive friends on Tuesday May 19th from 5:00PM - 7:00PM and where funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday May 20th 2015. Dr. Cheryl Ivey Green, officiating Entombment Dale Memorial Park Mausoleum.