Charles E. Carmichael, retired President of GodwinGroup, died July 24 on his 93 birthday at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He was surrounded by his loved ones.
Mr. Carmichael was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1923 to Charles "Mike" Christopher Carmichael and Margaret Jarmon Carmichael. Four years later his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he lived the rest of his life. He attended Davis Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1940. His college education was interrupted for three years when he served with the US Armed Forces during World War II in the China, Burma, India Theater of Operations. After his discharge, he returned to Millsaps where he graduated in 1947 with a BS Degree in Economics. He continued his education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for two years where he was member of Sigma Delta Sigma Honorary Scholarship Fraternity.
Upon his return to Jackson, he married the love of his life, Sarah Wakefield on April 5, 1952. He began his 45 year career in advertising, marketing and public relations with a firm that's now GodwinGroup. He was a partner in the agency and served as its President from 1979 until his retirement in 1989. After retiring, he formed a not-for-profit firm, GodwinGroup Communications Resource, where he volunteered his time and experience providing marketing and promotional services to area government and civic agencies charged with economic development.
During his lifetime, Mr. Carmichael was active in business, cultural, and community affairs. He served as a member and past director of the 100 Club of Jackson, an Advisory Council member for the New Orleans Museum of Art, a Rotary Club of North Jackson member. He also served as a Volunteer for Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Mississippi Committee of the Newcomen Society of North America, and was involved in the activities and missions of his church Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church. In earlier years, he was a member, elder, and Chairman of the Board of First Christian Church.
He served as President of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, the Metropolitan Boys and Girls Club, the Boys and Girls Foundation, the Mississippi Art Association, the Downtown Exchange Club of Jackson, and was for many years a member of The Mississippi Museum of Art Board of Trustees and was its Chairman in the Museum's first full year of operation.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Greater Jackson Advertising Club, United Way of Metropolitan Jackson, Crime Stoppers, Keep Jackson Beautiful, Mississippi Children's Home Society, Jackson Historic Preservation Commission, LeFleurs Bluff Heritage Foundation, and the Advisory Council of the Walter Anderson Museum.
Mr. Carmichael was one of the first Jacksonians to receive the Boys Club of America's national "Man and Boy" award, he received the Silver Metal Award from the Greater Jackson Advertising Club, and was a recipient of the Goodwill Auxiliary "Salute Award" for his volunteer work.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sarah Dell Wakefield Carmichael, Madison MS; his daughter Christine Sally Carmichael, Jackson, MS; his grandchildren Lauren Beth Grussaute, Hattiesburg, MS; Amanda Rhodes Grussaute Jacobs and her husband William Howard Jacobs, and their children Hayden Christine Jacobs, and Lily Grace Jacobs of Thompson Station, TN; brother in law William G. Shackelford of Ridgeland, MS. He was proceeded in death by his parents and son Charles E. "Mike" Carmichael, Jr. of Jackson, MS; brothers, John D. Carmichael, Hubert M. Carmichael; sister, Virginia Carmichael Shackelford; brother in law Benton M. Wakefield, Jr. and his wife Cindy Walton Wakefield of Metairie, LA.
Memorials can be sent the University of Mississippi Foundation, Mike Carmichael Memorial Scholarship Endowment, P.O. Box 249, University, MS 38677, and Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, 305 North Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39201.
Visitation will take place on Thursday July 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Galloway Memorial Methodist Church followed by a Memorial Service in the Chapel.
The family would like to thank St. Catherine's Village and Hospice Ministries for their special care and loving support of our dad.