Charles Thomas "Tom" Poston

Charles Thomas “Tom” Poston, of Wilson, passed away after several months of declining health.  A funeral service will be held at Forest Hills Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 20 at 3:00 pm.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall.  A private interment will follow later.

Charles Poston was born on December 17, 1935 to Leroy Colell Poston and Mildred Johnson Poston in Georgetown, SC.  He attended Charles L. Coon High School and then left Wilson to pursue a career in sales and the music industry, working and traveling across the country.  This time led to a lifelong love of the United States and travel.  He ultimately visited 49 of the 50 states, never quite making it to Hawaii. 

He returned to Wilson and rekindled a relationship with high school friend, Jane Barnes.  They married and “Tom” and Jane enjoyed many years together, building a family with three daughters (Ashley, BJ, and Ellen, and seven grandchildren).  He faithfully cared for Jane through her battle with Alzheimer’s, until her passing.

Hard-working and enterprising, he founded an educational fundraising business, well-known as The Candy Man.  Generations of North Carolina school children raised money for their schools and earned fun prizes.  Charles finally retired at age 75, entrusting the business to two employees to carry on the legacy.  He remained proud of the business and the many people who worked in it throughout his life.

Not one to sit still, he was active in the community, serving on several community boards in Wilson.  He was known for using his musical talents and big personality on behalf of many good causes, as a performer and emcee.

After Jane’s death, Charles met Joyce Fulghum and they married in 2019.  Joyce and Charles had much in common—cherished friends, shared values, and their faith.  They made the most of their time together— traveling, remodeling a home, spending time with friends and family.

He was known by many names—Tom, Charles, The Candy Man, or Charley.  Charles never met a stranger.  He was quick with a joke and prone to burst into a few lines from a song when the mood struck him.  He relished going out to lunch with friends Alan Thomas, Albert Thomas, Bowie Martin and many others.  He was always in search of the perfect cheeseburger and had his favorite spots.

Charles loved music and the process of making music.  He once worked at a radio station in Wilmington and even recorded a record in Nashville during his early years.  Most recently, he made multiple CD recordings of pop, country, gospel, and Christmas songs to share with friends and family.  Mike Whitely of Wilson produced these recordings.

Charles was a man of deep faith, recently rededicating his life to Jesus Christ.  He was a member of Forest Hills Baptist Church and former member of St. Therese Catholic Church.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy Colell Poston and Mildred Johnson Poston; and his wife, Jane Barnes Poston.

He is survived by daughters, Ashley Farris (Joe), BJ Poston (Amy), and Ellen Southerland (Jimmy); grandchildren, Gabriel Farris (Bailie), Solomon Farris (Lydia), Mary Farris, Max Farris, Isaac Farris, Gemma Farris, and Alex Layton.

He is also survived by stepchildren, Jamey Fulghum (Theresa) and Karen Albritton (Ronnie); and step-grandchildren, Tommy Fulghum, Chloe Fulghum, Cari Albritton and Betsy Owens (Myles).

The family is especially grateful for the hospice nurses, care givers, and friends who supported Joyce in caring for Charles over the past months.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Forest Hills Baptist Church, 1407 Forest Hills Rd NW, Wilson, NC 27896, or St. Therese Catholic Church, 700 Nash Street NE, Wilson, NC 27893.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.