Growing up
Charles "Charlie" Myron Crabtree Jr., known to many as "Bo," was born Jan. 27, 1945, at Watts Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He was the oldest child of Charles Myron Crabtree Sr. and Gurnie Patricia Stancil Crabtree.
Charlie grew up in Durham alongside his siblings, Margaret Jane and Guy Wayne. In the 1950 Census, the Crabtree family was living on Duke's Homestead Road. His father operated an interstate trucking business, while his mother worked full-time as a cook at a cigarette factory. Their home was busy, hardworking, and rooted deeply in the Durham community.
In 1955, Charlie joined Bethany United Methodist Church with his brother and sister, marking an early connection to the faith community that remained part of his life.
Family life
On April 8, 1967, Charlie married Katherine "Kathy" Elaine Braxton in Durham. They welcomed two children: John Shayne Crabtree and Catherine "Windi" Melinda Crabtree. Charlie and Kathy later divorced on July 1, 1977, in Wake County.
Charlie met Cynthia "Cindi" Gene Carter in the years that followed, and the two married on October 10, 1981, at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Together they built a life in North Carolina, surrounded by extended family and long-standing ties to the area. He and Cindi were big UNC and NC State fans, even holding season tickets for the Wolfpack football games for many years.
Both of Charlie's children, Shayne in 1990 and Windi in 2011, passed away before him — losses that shaped the later years of his life and remained deeply felt.
After a brief hospitalization, Charlie passed away April 16, 2026, at the age of 81. Charlie and Cindi were married for 46 years until his death. A memorial service is scheduled for October 9, 2026, at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh, where family and friends will gather to honor his life and remember his place in the Crabtree and Stancil families.
