Charles Wayne Hendricks was the son of legendary American singer Ray Charles and Raelettes singer Marjorie “Margie” Hendrix. He was born during his parents’ relationship in the late 1950s and lived most of his life away from public attention.
Charles was one of Ray Charles’ 12 children. He reportedly married Marlene Hendricks and had seven children. Charles died in 2013, but his cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’s Qucik Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Charles Wayne Hendricks |
| Known as | Charles Hendricks, Wayne Hendricks |
| Reported birth date | October 1, 1959 |
| Conflicting birth date | October 19, 1949 |
| Birthplace | New York City, reportedly Harlem |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | Ray Charles Robinson |
| Mother | Marjorie “Margie” Hendrix |
| Paternal half-siblings | 11 |
| Reported wife | Marlene Hendricks |
| Reported biological children | 7 |
| Reported stepchildren | 3 |
| Profession | Not publicly known |
| Date of death | Reportedly May 7, 2013 |
| Reported age at death | 53, based on the 1959 birth date |
| Cause of death | Not publicly confirmed |
| Known for | Being Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix’s son |
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Birth Date Is Disputed
Charles Wayne Hendricks is most commonly reported to have been born on October 1, 1959.
This date appears in published accounts of Ray Charles’ family and fits the known timeline of his parents’ relationship.
However, another reported record gives a very different date. An obituary attributed to Taylor Mortuary reportedly lists Charles’ birthday as October 19, 1949.
The dates are ten years apart.
Because of this conflict, October 1, 1959 should be described as his commonly reported birth date rather than an undisputed fact.
He was reportedly born in New York City, with some sources giving Harlem as his birthplace.
His Parents Were Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix
Charles was the only known child of Ray Charles Robinson and Marjorie “Margie” Hendrix.
Ray and Margie were not married.
They reportedly had an on-and-off relationship lasting several years while Ray was married to his second wife, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson.
Margie became pregnant during the relationship and gave birth to Charles.
Reports say Ray provided financial support for Margie and their son even though he did not leave his marriage to live with them.
Charles Spent His Early Years in Harlem
Charles reportedly spent part of his childhood living with his mother in Harlem.
One account says Margie and Charles lived with Margie’s sister, Lula Hendricks.
Little else is publicly documented about his childhood.
His schools and educational background are not publicly known.
What Happened After Margie Hendrix Died?
Margie died on July 14, 1973.
If Charles was born in October 1959, he was 13 years old and approaching his 14th birthday when his mother died.
One published account says Charles went into his father’s care after Margie’s death.
However, detailed information about this period is limited. There is little reliable public information explaining where Charles lived, how long he stayed with Ray, or what their relationship was like.
Who Was Margie Hendrix?
Marjorie “Margie” Hendrix was an American singer best known for her work with The Raelettes, the female backing vocal group associated with Ray Charles.
She was known for her strong vocals and performed with Ray during an important period of his music career.
Her relationship with Ray also resulted in the birth of Charles Wayne Hendricks.
Margie later left the Raelettes and attempted to continue her music career.
Margie Hendrix’s Solo Career
Margie released music after her time with the Raelettes.
Her reported releases included Now the Hurt’s on You and Baby in 1965.
These recordings did not give her the same level of success she had experienced while performing with Ray Charles.
Her music career later declined.
Margie Married Robert Fulson
Margie reportedly married jazz singer Robert Fulson in 1966.
The available information does not clearly explain what kind of relationship Charles had with Robert.
In September 1967, Margie and Robert were involved in a road accident in Cleveland, Texas.
Reports say a lumber truck struck the vehicle Robert was driving.
Margie suffered neck injuries and some hearing loss in her right ear. The injuries reportedly affected her ability to continue working as a singer.
Margie Hendrix Died in 1973
Margie experienced personal and career difficulties during her later years.
Reports say she struggled with alcohol and substance use as her music career declined.
She died on July 14, 1973, reportedly at age 38.
Her exact cause of death has not been reliably established.
Some later accounts have connected her death to drug use, but this should not be treated as a confirmed cause of death.
Charles Had 11 Half-Siblings
Ray Charles had 12 biological children with different women.
Charles Wayne Hendricks was one of them and reportedly had 11 paternal half-siblings.
Published accounts identify them as Evelyn, Ray Charles Robinson Jr., David, Robert, Renee or Raenee, Sheila, Reatha Butler, Alexandra Bertrand, Vincent Kotchounian, Robyn Moffett, and Ryan Corey Robinson den Bok.
The spelling and full forms of some names differ between sources.
Charles was reportedly the only child Ray Charles had with Margie Hendrix.
Was George Charles His Brother?
One source lists a deceased sibling named George Charles.
However, this name does not appear in the commonly reported list of Ray Charles’ 12 biological children.
The same source also says Charles had 11 half-siblings through Ray.
Because of this inconsistency, George Charles should not be described as Charles Wayne Hendricks’ confirmed brother without stronger evidence.
Charles Lived Away From the Spotlight
Charles did not follow his famous parents into a widely documented music career.
He lived a mostly private life.
There is little reliable information about his education, employment, or professional career.
His profession has not been publicly established.
There is also no strong evidence that he worked professionally as a singer, musician, or entertainer.
Charles Reportedly Married Marlene Hendricks
Charles was reportedly married to Marlene Hendricks.
Very little public information is available about their marriage.
Some reports connect Marlene with Aurora, Colorado.
Their wedding date and the location of their marriage have not been publicly confirmed.
Because detailed records about the marriage are limited, Marlene is best described as Charles’ reported wife.
Charles Reportedly Had Seven Children
Charles and Marlene reportedly had a large family.
One published account identifies seven biological children connected with Charles:
- Joel Spiller Jr.
- Jeremy Casner
- Nick Casner
- Antoinette Hendricks
- Charli Hendricks
- Danielle Casner
- Jacqueline Spiller
Detailed information about the children is limited.
Because this family information comes mainly from secondary reports, the seven children are best described as his reported biological children.
His Reported Stepchildren
Marlene reportedly had three children from previous relationships.
They are identified as:
- Steven Barker
- Anthony Barker
- Freddie Haynes
They reportedly became part of Charles and Marlene’s blended family.
If these reports are correct, their household included seven children attributed to Charles and three stepchildren.
Who Was Ray Charles?
Ray Charles Robinson was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer.
He was born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia.
Ray became blind during childhood and later developed a major music career that combined elements of gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and country music.
His best-known recordings include songs such as Georgia on My Mind, Hit the Road Jack, I Can’t Stop Loving You, and What’d I Say.
He became widely known by the nickname The Genius.
Ray was married twice, first to Eileen Williams and later to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson. He also had relationships with other women and fathered 12 children.
Ray Charles died on June 10, 2004.
Ray Charles’ Financial Arrangements for His Children
Before his death, Ray reportedly met with 10 of his children to discuss financial arrangements.
Published accounts say he told them they would receive approximately $500,000 each.
Sources differ slightly on how the money was structured. Some describe $500,000 trusts, while others say the money was to be distributed over several years.
The reported $500,000 provision should not be treated as Charles Wayne Hendricks’ personal net worth.
The Dispute Over Ray Charles’ Music Rights
Legal disputes involving some of Ray Charles’ children developed after his death.
Several of his children became involved in litigation concerning rights connected with his music.
The supplied sources disagree about Charles Wayne Hendricks’ involvement.
One account says his personal interest in the legal case was not recorded. Another says Charles and his siblings were involved in a successful 2013 case.
Because of this conflict, it cannot be stated with confidence that Charles personally took part in the litigation.
When Did Charles Wayne Hendricks Die?
Charles Wayne Hendricks reportedly died on May 7, 2013.
If his commonly reported October 1, 1959 birth date is correct, he was 53 years old at the time.
Some online sources incorrectly give his age as 54 or even 74. Those ages do not match a birth date of October 1, 1959 and a death date of May 7, 2013.
The separate 1949 birth-date claim also means his exact age remains tied to the unresolved birth-date conflict.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Cause of Death
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
The available reports do not provide a reliable medical cause or detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding his death.
His family also appears to have kept the matter private.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Net Worth
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ personal net worth is not reliably known.
There is no confirmed information about his salary, career earnings, investments, property, or total assets.
Reports about money provided by Ray Charles to his children do not establish Charles’ overall net worth.
Did Charles Wayne Hendricks Have Social Media?
No verified social media accounts belonging to Charles Wayne Hendricks have been identified.
He lived a private life and died in 2013.
Photographs and information about him now found on social media are generally shared through biography pages, music history accounts, and fan pages rather than confirmed personal accounts.
Facts About Charles Wayne Hendricks
- Charles Wayne Hendricks was the son of Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix.
- His commonly reported birth date is October 1, 1959.
- Another reported record gives October 19, 1949, creating a major conflict.
- He was reportedly born in New York City.
- Some sources identify Harlem as his birthplace.
- He was Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix’s only child together.
- Margie was a singer and member of the Raelettes.
- Charles reportedly spent part of his childhood in Harlem.
- His mother died in July 1973.
- One source says Charles later went into Ray Charles’ care.
- He had 11 paternal half-siblings through Ray Charles.
- His education and profession are not publicly known.
- Charles was reportedly married to Marlene Hendricks.
- He reportedly had seven biological children.
- Three additional children reportedly became his stepchildren.
- Charles reportedly died on May 7, 2013.
- He was 53 if the commonly reported 1959 birth date is correct.
- His cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
- His personal net worth is not reliably known.
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