Charles O’Kelley was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on November 4, 1918, the son of Arlington and Mary O’Kelley. On the relocation of his family to the Chicago area, he attended DuSable High School and Wilson Junior College until he was inducted into the US Army in World War II. He served during the War in the 184th Field Artillery Regiment, seeing service on Guadalcanal, Bougainville and in the Admiralty Islands of New Guinea and when discharged in 1945, he had attained the rank of Captain.

He married Evelyn Stanford Johnson on December 13, 1969. They, and their combined family of 11 children, moved to the Beloit area. He was employed as a purchasing agent with Warner Brake and Clutch Company in South Beloit until his retirement in 1983.

Charles was a dedicated leader in Prince Hall Masonry for 43 years, serving offices in the W.B. Kennedy Lodge No. 3 of Beloit, and other State and National Freemasonry lodges and organizations, and a 33rd Degree Mason.

His lengthy community service included serving as President of the NAACP Beloit Branch, City of Beloit Park & Recreational Committee, the Golden K’s of Kiwanis, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Beloit Positive Youth Development Program, Beloit Breakfast Optimist Club, Beloit Family Service Organization Board of Directors, Greater Beloit Minority Coalition, and as a volunteer at Beloit Memorial Hospital. He was cited in the Beloit Daily News in 1988 as Volunteer of the Month.

In addition to his many hours of volunteer service, he was elected as a member of the Beloit Board of Education and served in that capacity for twelve years, including terms as its Vice President and Treasurer, and as a leader in the renovation and expansion of Beloit Memorial High School.

Charles was a devoted member of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Beloit, where his talents including singing in its male chorus and senior choir.

On his death, September 11, 2004, he was survived by his wife, Evelyn, ten children, 32 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, leaving them with a legacy of service to his nation, his Beloit community, the school children of Beloit, his Masonic brethren and his church.