Charles Earl Helton was born to parents, the late Virginia Dare Whiteaker (Q.T. Helton) and the late Jerry Morris, by a midwife in Jefferson, Texas, on December 10, 1937. He was raised by his grandparents, Viola Whitaker Helton Houston and Richard Houston. His formal education includes Potters Creek Elementary School (Hallsville, TX), Wheatley Elementary School (Dallas, TX), N.W. Harllee Elementary School (Dallas, TX). His value and commitment to education was demonstrated through his self-enrollment in H.B. Pemberton High School, where he walked and hitchhiked 8 miles one way for two years before a bus route was assigned. He graduated high school on May 27, 1995.

Charles enlisted in the United States Army on June 22, 1956. He completed basic training at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Signal Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His titles within the United States Army included Administrative Specialist, where he supervised administrative functions and provided technical instructions, and Unit Supply Specialist, where he was responsible for supervising and maintaining all Army supplies and equipment. His assignments included numerous locations across the United States, Vietnam (1964-1965), and Germany (circa 1957-1959, 1960-1963, 1968-1970). Earned awards include the Parachutist Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal; Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Army Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal Clasp, 2 Silver Loops; and the Meritorious Service Medal. Charles retired from the United States Army with an honorable discharge, ranked as a Staff Sergeant in August 1977 after 21 years of service.

Charles then attended East Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce), graduating with honors. He then worked at Eastfield College of Dallas County Community College District, Mesquite, Texas, as Dean of Admissions until he retired in 2005 after 25 years of dedicated service.

Charles was a faithful member of Pemberton Hill Church of Christ (formally Myrtle Street Church of Christ), where he served as a dedicated deacon for multiple decades. There, he selflessly supported the administrative and functional needs of the church in efforts to expand the kingdom of God.

Charles will most notably be remembered for his love of the Dallas Cowboys, westerns, his high-pitched laugh, and being responsible for making his famous brisket for all family and friend gatherings.

Preceding Charles in death are parents Virginia Dare Whiteaker (Q.T. Helton Andrews) and Jerry Morris, wife of 45 years, Myrtle Ruth Thomas Helton, brother Alfred Prentice Andrews Jr., and sister Alfretta Andrews Brown Mathis.

Charles leaves to carry on his legacy his wife of 19 years, Doris Jean Campbell-Helton, daughters Sandra Yvette Davis (Bobby), Cheryl Suzette Helton-Jones, and Shana Lynette Helton Givens-Tameklo (David), bonus-son George (Bodie) Hughes Jr, and grandchildren Christopher Charles Collins (Cherie), Bradly Phillip Searl, Alexander Jordan (A.J.) Dean, Carlton Ray (Mustard) Shelmon, Jr, Kavon Lee (Duce) Freeman, Dominique Tanzell Shelmon, and bonus-granddaughter Sirita Davis. He is survived by his sisters Clara Andrews Harris Brooks and Brenda Andrews Wilkerson (Lee) and brother Tommy Ray Andrews, brothers-in-law Odell Campbell and Paul Wayne Thomas (Gloria), sisters-in-law Margorie Ruffin, Rubylene Sloan Melba Johnson, and Nadine Thomas Bowens, a host of loving greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, church members, neighbors, community members, and loyal friends who will forever cherish and celebrate his memory.