Charlie Winfrey, Jr.

1945 – 2020

Born September 1, 1945 to Charlie and Kattie Winfrey in Somerville, Tennessee. As a young man he worked picking cotton to assist the family financially. In 1957 the Winfrey family moved from Somerville to Memphis where he was educated and graduated from Lester High School. He excelled in sports, particularly baseball and football. Also, while in Memphis he learned the sport of golf while caddying at local golf courses. In 1965 he moved to Omaha with his mother, sisters Sadie and Sharon, and brothers John and Maurice along with his niece Sophia. Upon arrival he was employed at Wonder Bread Bakery, during which time he was drafted into the Army. While being prepared to serve in Vietnam he received a hardship discharge to take care of his family. Charlie once recalled a captain that knew of his situation at home saying, “I’m not even going to waste the state’s money,” before sending him home. In 1971 Charlie began barber school at The Omaha Barber College and at completion began cutting hair at Lake Street Barbers Shop. Two years after that, Charlie and Lathan Rutledge partnered up to purchase their own barbershop. With no money, they made a deal to buy Fraternity Barbershop. In 1975 he united in marriage to Jessie House and from this union they produced three sons, Jabaan, Rashaan, Sultaan. Over the years Fraternity Barbershop went from being located at the Elks Lodge on Lake Street to the Blue Lion Center. During this time, he became sole proprietor of the business. Eventually the Lord blessed Charlie to purchase his own building located at 3707 N 24th Street in 1998. In addition to being a great barber, Charlie was a well-known sportsman, who at one time had an opportunity to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a phenomenal softball player as part of the Blackhawks and several other teams. He coached both men and women’s softball teams as well. He earned awards as a bowler, and as an avid golfer. Charlie took his Christian principles and applied them to make Fraternity the epitome of a Christian business. In 1998 he began attending Friends of Christ Church and 10 years later he joined Salem Baptist Church and eventually became a deacon. With his knowledge and love of Christ he turned Fraternity into a lighthouse for the God he served and as an example for the community. Charlies once said, “Accepting Christ and finding a wife that accepted him at his worst,” were his greatest accomplishments. Preceded in death were his mother, Kattie Lockridge, father Charlie Winfrey, Sr., brothers Marurice Lockridge, Chris, Terry and Steven Winfrey. He leaves to cherish his memory wife, Jessie, sons Jabaan, Rashaan (Cherese) and Sultaan Winfrey, granddaughters, Anessa and Amiya Winfrey, brothers John (Nell) and Stanley Winfrey, sisters Charlotte Thomas and Sharon Lockridge. A host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Celebration of Life: 10:00 AM Friday, January, 17, 2020 at Salem Baptist Church.