Students mourn for Tuskegee Airman Charles Flowers at Maryland high school named for him

Black bunting draped the sign in front of Charles H. Flowers High School in Springdale (Maryland) on Tuesday as students mourned the loss of a mentor and friend for whom the building had been named.

Charles H. Flowers Jr., 92, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, died of kidney and heart disease Friday. Students at the school, many of whom had shaken his hand at awards ceremonies or heard the stories he told when visiting classrooms, were notified of the death Friday afternoon.

"I was in English class. Everybody just looked at each other like, 'Oh, man,' " said Tobias Whitley, 17, a JROTC student from Largo who is headed to Johnson C. Smith College in North Carolina next year to study chemistry. "We couldn't believe it."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.


Videographer: CHFHSnews; Speed Portrait of Dr. Charles Herbert Flowers; Portrait drawn by Charles Herbert Flowers High School student Briana Hall.

Charles H. Flowers Jr. High School Release:

Charles Herbert Flowers, namesake of our school, was a Glenarden resident, who was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina.

After graduating in May of 1942 from the Army Air Corps Flight Training Center located at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he became the first African American with military training to become a primary flight instructor of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the best because Tuskegee Institute only accepted those who met extensive physical and mental qualifications. These men, while fighting for America, also fought for themselves, their children, their culture, as well as, every American citizen, in hope that their country would accept Americans of all colors as first class citizens. During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen served with distinction, and were honored by the Congress of the United States with the Congressional Gold Medal.

After the war, Dr. Flowers completed his college degree in Business Administration at what is now known as North Carolina Central University. While at Central, he became the first student government president.

He later moved back to Maryland, and in 1965 he went to work for NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. He retired as the Manager of Employee Relations in 1990. While retired he kept himself busy and active in the community and at his church, Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Lanham, Maryland. Through his church, he mentored children at James McHenry Elementary School and Thomas Johnson Middle School. Additionally, he worked with the Youth in Aviation program in this area, and was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

In 2000, Dr. Flowers became the only living person to have a school named after him in Prince George's County Public Schools. In 2006, the historic Tuskegee University, founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, bestowed upon Charles Herbert Flowers an honorary Doctorate in Public Service. Married to Wilhelmina Flowers since 1943, he was blessed with four children - Carolyn, Yvonne, Charles Herbert Flowers III, and Roderick.

He was the grandfather of six and great grandfather of eleven. Dr. Flowers was a humble man, whose life serves as an example of the excellence we seek to be embodied in the students at Charles Herbert Flowers High School. To be part of a school named after this wonderful man, who was a part of the Tuskegee Airmen, makes the Flowers community proud. We salute all that this man stood for and are grateful for his accomplishments.

The entire Charles Herbert Flowers High School family mourns the loss of this distinguished, historic man. Our condolences are extended to his wife and family.


Videographer: lefrazier; The Tuskegee University Choir, under the direction of Dr. Wayne Barr, celebrated the Tuskegee Airmen during the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Grand Opening Ceremonies on October 11, 2008.

Funeral arrangements for Dr. Charles Herbert Flowers Jr.

Friday February 4, 2011
United Methodist Church
3512 Whitfield Chapel Rd
Lanham, MD 20706
301-577-1800

Viewing 9- 11am
Services 11:00 am

Please note: The church in which the services are being held only seats 500 people.

READ RELATED ARTICLES, VIEW PHOTOS:
Local Tuskegee airman, Charles H. Flowers, dies at age 92
Charles H. Flowers: A historical icon
Dr. Charles Herbert Flowers