Charles Gordon Walker II

Charles Gordon Walker, II, age 52, of Leon County, Florida, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 19, 2025, at his home in Leon County, Florida. Charles was born on July 19, 1973, in Tallahassee, Florida to Charlie Walker and Sylvia Aligood Walker. Charles and his older sister, Sandra Walker Nicholas, grew up in Waukennah, Florida, where they enjoyed close relationships with their large extended Walker, Hightower, Buzbee cousins and their Smith family in Drifton. Charles loved Jefferson County and was especially proud of both sides of his parents rich, colorful, family history, and always enjoyed remembering and sharing these stories and experiences with others. Charles attended Aucilla Christian Academy, Howard Middle School Academy of Arts-OCPS, North Florida Christian and Brookwood High School in Thomasville, Georgia, developing lifelong friendships that he cherished and maintained. After high school, Charles decided he wanted to explore the world beyond Waukennah and moved to New York City where he studied accounting and history at Baruch College class of 2007, and studied law at New York Law School, class of 2011. Charles was a member of the New York Bar. Charles love people and everyone who ever met him loved him and certainly would have a Charles memory they would never forget. Charles had a lifelong love of learning all he could about his family genealogy and enjoyed sharing what he learned with other family members and friends. During his many travels, he would always make time to explore cemeteries searching out these family members graves and remembering their lives. Charles was an excellent historian with an ironclad memory and made learning fun. He had a deep appreciation for old historic buildings and architecture, could name any type of flower or plant and tell you its origin. He collected fine objects, glassware, china, furniture, safes and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of these items. An excellent conversationst, his lifelong passion for history made him a very entertaining and engaging friend to all. Charles had a keen interest in politics and a strong sense of social justice and strongly believed in equality for all and supported equal opportunity and wanted education to be expanded, but affordable to everyone. After his beloved mother, Sylvia Aligood Walker, passed away, he reached out to Jefferson County School Superintendent, Jackie Pons, and was working on establishing two yearly scholarships that would be provided annually to deserving students so they could further their education. Charles loved gospel music and singing the old time gospel hymns he grew up hearing. He was excited to be a founding member of Open Hearts United Methodist Church and looked forward to getting more involved in its expansion. Anytime Charles was setting off on a new adventure, he would recall his Aunt Luddy’s three axioms of life she always reminded him to do, which were: Love the Lord, read his word, and say his prayers. Charles never forgot her words and daily incorporated them into this life. In 2018, Charles returned from New York City and once again loved being back in North Florida, and was proud to buy Smith family property in Drifton, where he often went and worked on various projects. As everyone who knew Charles knows, he spent the last few years of his life being a caregiver to him mother and making sure her life was filled with love, laughter, and social connections. As she began facing difficult health challenges, he devoted his entire life to making sure she had the best possible healthcare and caregivers so she could remain in her beautiful home that she so much enjoyed. Charles is survived by his father, Charlie Walker, of Waukeenah, Florida; sister, Sandra Walker Nichols (Todd) of Norfolk, Virginia; and her children, Mary Kowalchyck Graham (Dina) of New York City, NY; Caroline (Kowalchyck); Lahkim-Bennani (Yazid) and Walker Nicholas Kowalchyk of Alabama; his sister-in-law, Christine “Chrissy” (widow of Stephen Wayne Walker); Jaequeline Lee (Jackie) Walker Cifreo and her husband Jules of Thomasville, Georgia, and their son, Stephen James Cifreo, who absolutely brought so much love and joy into Charles’ life, since his birth; Danelle Delwick of Gainesville, Florida; Frankie Smith Rosey, his mom’s first cousin, but “Aunt Frankie” to Charles of Merritt Island, Florida, and her husband Fred who passed away; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his beloved Mother, Sylvia Aligood Walker, who passed away on July 31, 2025; and his maternal grandmother, Louise Smith Aligood, and his grandmother’s brother, Franklin Smith, who was a role model to Charles. Others left to grieve are Matthew “Arn” Prince of New York City, NY, his best friend of 28 years; Lisa Christina Alden, a close friend and caregiver to his mother, Sylvia A. Walker, and his oldest first cousin, Sherry Derenda Walker and Melinda G. Wills. Charles was in the process of planning his Mother’s memorial service and now a joint Celebration of Life for both mother and son is being planned, which will be held after the first of the year. At this time the family needs time to properly grieve these two outstanding loved ones and plan a celebration that is representative of their remarkable lives. Once finalized, the details will be published well in advance so everyone can make plans to attend and join in celebrating these two unforgettable people that we were all so blessed to know and love. The entire family thanks everyone for their love and understanding. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).

Tributes

Charles Gordon Walker II

July 19, 1973 - November 19, 2025