Charles Poindexter

Mr. Charles Edward “Ed” Poindexter, 88 of Winston-Salem, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 after a brief illness. He was born August 29, 1930, in Forsyth County, to the late Rufus C. and Ola G. Poindexter. Ed attended Forest Park Elementary, and then Gray High School, where he played football, was team captain and graduated in 1949. Upon graduation from high school, he began a career with Southern Bell Telephone in 1950. In December 1951, his career would be put on pause as he was drafted into the US Army Airborne (Fort Bragg), and specialized in communications. He was honorably discharged from the Army in December 1954, and was able to resume his career with Southern Bell Telephone, starting as a lineman, repairmen, installer and then working his way into management.

After 35 years of service, he retired from BellSouth Telephone in 1984, and in 1985 was the founding partner of Tri-Com Communications in Winston-Salem. After 18 years with Tri-Com, he retired again and even then, enjoyed working part-time with VERSA Technologies, when he was not hunting, fishing, traveling or spending time with his two grandchildren.

While working with Southern Bell Telephone in August of 1950, he met a very pretty Southern Bell Operator, Ms. Jasmine Ware, at a lunch café in Reidsville. They both had met the loves of their lives and were married just six months later, February 16, 1951. They had two children, Charles Clayton Poindexter and Craig Allen Poindexter. Ed and Jasmine would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on February 16, 2019. Ed and Jasmine have been lifelong members of New Philadelphia Moravian Church, where Ed served as a board member and usher. He also enjoyed serving on the men’s breakfast committee to prepare and serve the men’s breakfast each month, and played competitive softball into his mid-sixty’s. Preceding Ed in death are his parents and a brother, Clarence Poindexter. Surviving are his wife, Jasmine Ware Poindexter; Son, Clay Poindexter and wife Vicky (Winston-Salem), grandchildren Clayborne Adele Poindexter (Arlington, VA) and Tanner Edward Poindexter (Asheville, NC); Son, Craig Poindexter (San Francisco). Brothers Robert Poindexter and wife Cindy (Kernersville); Phil Poindexter and wife Linda (Belews Creek). His faithful dog and companion, Dexter, whom he loved very much. Ed was a big man with a big heart and leaves behind many lifelong friends and acquaintances. The family would like to thank neighbors and friends from The Gables neighborhood, whom have provided love, friendship and joy over the past 12 years. Ed and Jasmine truly love their neighborhood and neighbors. Thank you to the incredible staff, nurses and Doctors at Wake Forest Baptist Health for their professionalism and care for Ed these past few months. Thank you to the staff and nurses at Trellis Supportive Care these past two weeks for their love and care. And finally thank you to the many family members and friends who visited and expressed their love for Big Ed as he faced this challenge and journey. We thank you all. A celebration of life service will be conducted in Ed’s honor at New Philadelphia Moravian Church, 2:00 pm, Wednesday, February 6, 2019. Officiated by Pastor Joe Moore and Reverend Dr. David Marcus, Jr. The family will receive friends following the service in the family life center fellowship hal