Bishop Charles Edwin Bright, Sr.
May 10, 1927 – September 21, 2006
A Man of God, Blessed and Highly Favored
Bishop Charles Edwin Bright, Sr. was born on May 10, 1927 in Walterboro, SC to the late Mr. Cephus and Mrs. Sara Reid Bright. He completed his high school education at Colleton High School and attended college in Beaufort County where he took welding. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in active combat overseas during World War II.
Bishop Bright was married to the late Mother Ruth Ella Heyward Bright. Their legacy continues in their 13 children, one adopted child, 36 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Upon the death of Mother Ruth Ella Bright, Bishop Bright married Mother Marian Grant and assisted in rearing several additional grandchildren. He departed this life and started his new life with the Lord on September 21, 2006.
Bishop Bright was baptized in Jesus’ name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in March of 1953 at Elizabeth Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Ritter, SC. He was under the direction of the late Elder Willie Heyward. He served as Deacon prior to being called to the Ministry. Bishop Bright served in the Sunday School Department as the local teacher and then superintendent. He labored and became the Sunday School Superintendent for the State of South Carolina. His love for the Sunday School continued on to the national level. Bishop Bright was elected International Sunday School Treasurer for the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Years of dedicated service to the Sunday School Department yielded Bishop Bright an induction into The International Sunday School Hall of Fame.
Bishop Bright attended every convention since he received the Holy Ghost in March of 1953, which amounted to 53 years consecutive attendance. To accomplish this monumental feat, he once drove across country to San Francisco, California, over 2000 miles, with his wife and 10 of his 13 children to attend the National Convention.