Charles Henry Milstead, Sr. 82 of Nanjemoy, Maryland.

Charles Henry Milstead was born October 31, 1936 to the late William and Eva Gutrick Milstead.  He departed this life on Friday, August 30, 2019, at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland.

He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He was baptized and joined the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Nanjemoy, Maryland under the pastoral leadership of Revered Doctor Lowell H. Hancock, Sr.

On April 3, 1972, Charles was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, MaryAnn Gaines. During this 48-year union they were blessed with two children, Charles Henry Milstead Jr. and Kelvin Christopher Milstead.

Charles was affectionately known as "Smokey" to some and "Henny" to others.

His love for fire trucks and helping those in need later led him to become the first African-American firefighter at the Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department. In his early years prior to training, he would chase every fire truck in route to an emergency never knowing that it would one day lead him to serving his community for over fifty plus years. Soon after being on the scene of several fire emergencies, Jimmy Rye, a firefighter, was the first to recommend that he become a fully trained firefighter. Over the course of his career, he earned several accolades from the fire department. Again, being a servant to the community, he also drove the ambulance for the Ironsides Volunteer Rescue Squad.

In addition to his love of firefighting, he was also employed with the Charles County Public School System, The National Park Service and Goose Bay Aggregate Gravel Company.

In his spare time, he loved fishing and enjoyed sitting by the water and being in the company of family and friends. In his younger days you could look up at any time to see him shinning his brand-new car. Not to mention that his love for music and dancing made him the life of the party.  One of his favorite songs was "Let's Get It On" by the late Marvin Gaye. He will be missed by all who loved him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Lloyd, William, Jr. and James Louis; and three brothers-in-law, Paul, Robert and Charles Gaines.

He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted and loving wife, MaryAnn Milstead; two sons, Charles Henry Milstead, Jr.,(Debbie) and Kelvin Christopher Milstead;  one special devoted godson, Markus Taylor; one grandson, Randy; two great-granddaughters, Hope and Aaliyah;  one special niece, Moniki Taylor; one special great-niece, Markita Carroll; three sisters, Lorraine Taylor (Quincy), Violet White (Charles) and Bessy Carroll (Albert); one brother, Robert Milstead (Nannie); five sisters-in-law, Doris Dent (Bernard), Annie Jackson (Clifford), Bertha McKenzie (Steven), Margaret Singletary (Jesro), BettyAnn Milstead; three brothers-in-law, Thomas Gaines (Yvonne), Joseph Gaines (Agnes) and Arthur Gaines; and a host of  other relatives and friends.

His Viewing will be, 9:00 am, until time of Service, 11:00 am, Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 11220 Holly Springs, Road, Nanjemoy, Maryland 20662.  Interment, Church Cemetery.