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Pastor Charles Houston, a former Pastor at Plains Methodist Church, lost his life when a gangway collapsed on Sapelo Island on October 19. Neighbor and congregant Sandra Walters recalled his life in Plains, telling how he was pastor at Plains Methodist from 1976 to 1980. “He was one of those pastors that was not just a preacher in the pulpit. He was a pastor that was out in the community, doing things all the time. He always had more energy than most.”

Walters told how volunteering was important to Houston. “He wanted to be on the volunteer fire department. My husband was also chief of the fire department at that time, and he joined the fire department, and he thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the fire department.”

She told how he displayed a consistent focus on others. “He was always visiting with people, talking with people.”

Walters told of his concern for those in hardship. “I had a granddaughter that was at college, Georgia Southern, when an accident happened there that took away one of her sorority sisters, and he was quick to even call her and see what he could do.”

Walters told how her location often made her more of a neighbor than just a congregant to the ministers that came to Plains Methodist. She told how he would regularly visit. “He was just a good friend. He loved to come to my house and eat cookies.”

Walters summed up his character. “He was just one of those people that you never forgot, and he never forgot you.”

Current Pastor of Plains Methodist Church, R. T. Beverly, also shared memories of Houston. “Plains was my first appointment as a senior pastor, while I was here, I got interested in law enforcement chaplaincy, and he became my mentor in law enforcement chaplaincy.”

While he recalled Houston’s many acts of service, he stated that his impact went much further than mere action. “He’s as much remembered for how loving. . . and lovable he was.”

Beverly talked about Houston’s wide-reaching impact. “Charles has had an impact on every community that he has called home.”

He told how his family has also been shaped by Houston’s service. “He performed my parents wedding ceremony at my grandma’s house.”

Beverly recounted Houston’s involvement. “He was very proud of his involvement with ICPC and the Department of Natural Resources Chaplaincy.” He told how Houston did Chaplain support work for the Georgia State Patrol. “I feel comfortable saying that between the Georgia Sheriff Association, the International Conference of police chaplains, the Georgia State Patrol, the DNR, and all the local agencies, I mean, he’s had an enormous impact on law enforcement chaplaincy in Georgia.”

He told how law enforcement chaplaincy was an important service for law enforcement. “It provides another avenue for law enforcement officers to process their trauma and get the support they need in a very stressful career.”

Beverly told how it was a major passion for Houston. “Charles was all about that. He loved the chaplaincy.”