Charles P. Doster

Charles Parker Doster, 81, entered into glory on December 2, 2017. Mr. Doster had an unexpected heart attack and passed away at Meadows Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Doster was born March 10, 1936 in Moultrie, GA, the son of the late Percy Doster and the late Juanita Huff (Doster) Sheppard.  He was the third of four sons.  Charles went to Westminster Choir College at Princeton, NJ, and received his BA in Sacred Music.  He performed with the New York Philharmonic, recorded Handel’s Messiah with Leonard Bernstein, and performed at Carnegie Hall 22 times.  He served in the army, and was sent to Germany.  When he returned, he came back with the treasure of his life, his wife Erika.  Together, they had four children, Thomas Doster, John Doster, MD, Erika Anne Doster Passmore, and the late James Doster.  Charles earned a Master of Music Education and a six-year Education Specialist degree from Georgia Southern College.  He taught music at Swainsboro High School and Swainsboro Elementary School.  After retiring from the public school system with 30 years, Charles taught introductory music classes at East Georgia College/East Georgia State College for sixteen more years.  He also served as the choir director at the First United Methodist Church in Swainsboro and also Millen, GA, and later was music director at the First Presbyterian Church of Swainsboro.

Charles is best known for his extraordinary skill as a choral director.  Throughout his career, Charles brought out the best in his students, leading to numerous wins at literary and state choral competitions.  He was recognized in Swainsboro as “Our Town Hero” in June 2010, and received the honor of “Charles Doster Day” that same year.  From the Forest Blade article at the time:

According to Mayor Schwabe, Mr. Doster “has made a lifelong contribution and invaluable participation in the lives of countless younger and older people.” City Administrator Al Lawson agreed, stating that Mr. Doster “has touched so many lives in Emanuel County and brought so much rich culture to Emanuel County.”

In response to being named the June OurTown Hero, Mr. Doster offered the following sentiment, “I would like to thank the City of Swainsboro for this honor – being named OurTown Hero. I also would like to thank Mr. J.A. Kinsaul, Principal of Swainsboro Elementary School (during my years teaching there), the parents of my chorus members, and the community for their encouragement and support, for without it, we could have never achieved the level of success that we did. I was blessed to have spent my teaching career in a small town, in a loving and safe community, to rear our four children. Most of all, I thank the Lord for the gift of music and that he allowed me to pass it on to my students.” Photo courtesy of the Forest-Blade

Funeral Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7, 2017 with Reverend David Unkles officiating.

Interment will follow in the Swainsboro City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Chapman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Donald Jenkins, Tommy Herrington, Al Lawson, Dr. John Derden, Rev. Steve Bullington, and CJ Doster.

Charles is survived by his wife, Erika Schoenweiss Doster of Swainsboro; sons, Thomas Doster (Erika) of Augusta, and John Doster, MD (Sydel) of Anderson, SC; daughter, Erika Anne Doster Passmore of Manassas, VA.  Additionally, he is survived by his niece, Sally Doster Powell, nephews Gilbert and Edwin Doster.  He was predeceased by his son, James Parker Doster, and brothers, Freddie Doster, Edwin Doster, and most recently the Reverend Daniel Doster.

Charles is also survived by his grandchildren, who were his joy and great delight:  Christian James Doster, John Fields Doster, Lucas Cole Gibson, Ezekiel Duane Gibson, and Delilah Sydel Doster of Anderson, SC; Natalie Sarah Passmore Watkins (Ryan), Ethan Thomas Passmore, Gabrielle Susanne Passmore, and Amelia Grace Passmore of Manassas, VA; and Anna Jeanne YooRim Doster of Augusta, GA.

He fulfilled the scripture “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church” (Eph 5:25) perfectly.  He was a kind, gentle, loving and humble man.  There was not a selfish bone in him; he always put others first.  He loved his family with all his heart and was so proud of them and their accomplishments.  He had the God-given ability to instill the love of music, that was his heart, in others. 

He loved his Lord and served him faithfully:  A LIFE WELL LIVED!

 Service Information