Charles was born July 19, 1970 the fifth child of 8 children born to James Maxwell and Rosie Johnson. His father preceded him in death. He was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. He joined the Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in 1998 under the leadership of Bishop James Moore. He later joined God's Love Center under the Leadership of Pastor Barbara Scoot. He attended Thornton High School in Harvey Illinois. He later became a carpenter. He was highly skilled in roofing and construction. He later met and united with his long term companion Shelia Marshall.