33 20 642 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/b1658055fc74b9d5abd95f95796184fc.png bdb448fa2902cb8da6f208fb793028f0 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/09d5bc4906f41226cc8bd66f44453fb5.mp4 af4db382cb5f63d5ba19bee78814e8fb Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Video Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) 1 hour 11 minutes Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Fall Speakers Dinner "The politics of intimacy...why glbt history matters" by Leisa Meyer Subject The topic of the resource The importance of preserving GLBT history Description An account of the resource Dinner discussion at All Souls Unitarian Church Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Leisa Meyer of William & Mary College Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 10, 2003 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Video https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/ae720f37b67fe1d07b1a660ec30be6c3.jpg 3d36c73df7f5d443c35811d1ab4c536c https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/816576851a461a49caeb713b19240694.mp4 3a2fb94204d5fad94d23da9b807c8740 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/7205a5a0a661f11e09d82362ce52eadc.pdf e21c9690e1e258a36a967b7f66c78441 PDF Text Text Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview (Vintage Series) with Charles Faudree Interview Conducted by Toby Jenkins Date: December 4, 2012 Transcribed By: Dennis Neill using Riverside Studio AI, January 26, 2026 Restrictions: Interviewee requested: N/A Oklahomans for Equality History Project 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK. 74120 918.743.4297 historyproject@okeq.org https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 1 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM About Charles Faudree Editor’s Note: Charles Faudree passed away on November 27, 2013. His obituary and an article from the Tulsa World are at the end of this interview. Keywords LGBTQ, Oklahoma, Charles Faudre, coming out, spirituality, AIDS crisis, community support, acceptance, recovery, resilience Summary In this conversation, Toby Jenkins interviews Charles Faudree, a renowned interior designer and a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community in Oklahoma. Charles shares his journey from growing up in Muskogee to becoming a successful designer in Tulsa, discussing the challenges he faced while coming out, the impact of the AIDS crisis, and his commitment to community support and fundraising. He reflects on his spiritual journey, the importance of acceptance, and the changes he has witnessed in society regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Charles emphasizes the need for love and understanding, especially for young LGBTQ+ individuals navigating their identities. Takeaways    Charles Faudre's journey reflects the evolution of LGBTQ+ acceptance in Oklahoma. The importance of community support during the AIDS crisis was paramount. Spirituality played a crucial role in Charles's acceptance of himself. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 2 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75        1/26/26, 11:52 AM Fundraising initiatives can significantly impact community health resources. Charles's story highlights the importance of love and acceptance from family. Recovery from addiction allowed Charles to embrace his true self. The role of St. Jerome's Church was pivotal in Charles's spiritual journey. Charles believes that LGBTQ+ individuals should give their parents time to accept them. The current state of LGBTQ+ rights in Tulsa is a mixed experience. Charles's resilience in the face of health challenges inspires hope. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Charles Faudre and His Impact 01:38 Charles's Early Life and Coming Out Journey 08:22 The Role of Spirituality in Acceptance 14:51 Fundraising for AIDS Awareness and Community Support 22:53 Reflections on Progress and Current Challenges 30:45 Advice for Young LGBTQ+ Individuals and Conclusion Charles Faudree Oral History Interview 12-4-2012 Toby Jenkins: I'm Toby Jenkins, Executive Director of Oklahomans for Equality, and we want to welcome you to the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in downtown Tulsa for Vintage Tulsa, our way of capturing the stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Oklahomans and hearing what they have to say about the marvelous history of our state and how their lives interweaved with that story. Today I am so honored to have a man who I've admired for many years. He was instrumental in helping me to walk and talk and act like a regular lady when I came out. He was among the wonderful folks at St. Jerome's Church that mentored me. And Charles Faudree, as many of you know, is a world-renowned interior designer, but he's also from Oklahoma, and he is significant to the work of Oklahomans for Equality because he was one of the individuals that was connected to the early days of our founding. And also the Equality Center, one of the favorite rooms that folks love to see at the end of a tour when they've toured the Equality Center. We start out in the Cisar Holt Lobby, and we finish in the Charles Faudree boardroom. And I always finish the tour by saying, this is what gays can do with your basement. And folks, Charles Faudree is responsible. Give Charles a warm welcome for being here today, and we're going to get into it. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 3 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM Charles Faudree: Excuse me. I'm glad to be here, I'm glad to be anywhere these days. The key word seems to be vintage, and I certainly fall under that. I was born a long, long time ago. I've always been an Okie. I was born almost 75 years ago. I grew up in Muskogee, so not only am I an Okie from Muskogee, but I grew up in a family with a mother and father that was never anything but loving. I look back on my life, and I think they sacrificed for me to go to parochial school. I went to the nuns for eight years. I loved the nuns, and I learned to love God there. Then I went to a boys' prep school, military boarding school. Toby Jenkins: And where was that, Charles? Charles Faudree: That was in Muskogee as well. It closed my senior year, the health department closed it. The dorm was on the top floor. It was a fire trap. But that was really when I felt like I didn't belong. I can't even clap to rhythm, so let alone could I play football or do all those intramural sports that I had to do at that school. So I was no good at that, but anyway, I suffered and made it through. I didn't know any better. I knew my folks, that's what they wanted. They were staunch Catholics. So when I graduated, and I had parents that didn't drink. My father would drink a beer in the summer sometimes, and we had eggnog at Christmas. And Christmas Day, we had some cheap champagne. So I was never really in my house or our home. But my folks always said, if you want to drink, come and drink at home. So then I went off to college, and that's where I learned to drink and party and have a good time. Toby Jenkins: And where was that? Charles Faudree: That was in Tahlequah. I had enrolled at TU, had the entrance exams at already a dorm room, and my dorm roommate was going to be a Baptist minister. And I made the mistake of going to two revivals with he and his mother, and the father, that being the Catholic that he was, decided that I would not go to TU. So in the middle of August, I went to Northeastern with no one on the campus, a lot of Indians sitting in the town square. And at that moment, I hated my father. But, you know, God works in my life in strange ways and does for me what I can't do for myself because at Northeastern, I was a big duck in a little puddle and it worked best for me. Toby Jenkins: Now, were you involved in student government or music or art? Charles Faudree: No, my, well, yes and no, my degree was in art, but, you know, I made who's who in college and I was secretary of my fraternity and tri-sigma man and https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 4 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM made the deans on a roll. I did, you know, I was motivated to, and, you know, I always dated girls. I never had, I never was in love with a girl, but because I was a funny drunk or funny, you know, I always had a date for the sock hops or any function that I needed a date for. So, I always knew, was different in my life than most people, but I knew also that I was a Catholic and I knew how, and if I offend you and you're a Catholic, this is what it was for me. I don't judge anyone else and, you know, more power to you if it all works for you. But, I taught school actually for four years and then I opened a shop at 25. Toby Jenkins: Now, where did you teach school? Charles Faudree: I taught school, I went to the Art Institute first for one year and I taught school there, but I also, then I moved back to Oklahoma. Toby Jenkins: Where was the Art Institute, Charles Faudree: In Kansas City. In Kansas City. I taught school in Tulsa. I taught junior high art and I met a couple that, they were opening a shopping center in Oklahoma. It was the first shopping center this side of the Mississippi that was enclosed, so it was almost an attraction for Oklahoma and this person, the wife that I taught with, father said, I will back you in a shop if we can call it Faudree's and you will run it, I will be the silent partner and take care of the books. And here is where I met a lot of other people that were gay. There was a flower shop across from my shop, a home shop. Anyway, and once someone fell in my bed, I knew what was my problem all along. Toby Jenkins: So they just fell into your bed? Charles Faudree: They fell into my bed. Toby Jenkins: You make it sound like it was almost an accident. Charles Faudree: No, no, they well crawled or jumped or whatever. It was a great experience. Toby Jenkins: So what was the name of the shopping center? Charles Faudree: Todd, help me. Shepard Mall. Shepard Mall, Toby Jenkins: In Oklahoma City? Charles Faudree: Yes, it always looked like a factory, but when it opened, it had beautiful shops and it was an instant success and I had never worked harder. But I will tell you, coming out for me was a big thing. That's 50 years ago. The people today are https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 5 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM so lucky that this is a different world. 50 years ago, you almost went underground. And the fact that I was a Catholic, I thought I was losing my mind. I would have killed myself. Toby Jenkins: Except now, were you still observant? I mean, did you still attend mass? Charles Faudree: I still attended mass. I'd never missed mass, a Sunday in my life, in 25 years. I had no one to talk to. I had no equality center. I had no one to talk to. I thought I was losing my mind and I would have killed myself, except why expedite going to hell? So one day, one Sunday, I didn't go to church and lightning didn't strike. And so my story was my life with God, my life without God, and my life with God. Because I actually turned my face on God and thought, I'm all right. And I was motivated then to be more successful, try to be more successful than ever, to prove myself. Charles Faudree: I had a sister that understood and loved me as I love her. I love her more than life itself. And she understood, yet she was seven years younger, My father had died by (?). I had a mother that was understanding and said she loved me regardless. Toby Jenkins: What was that like when you had that conversation with her? Could she tell something was bothering you or? Charles Faudree: She said that it's so strange because two of her closest friends both had sons that were older than me that were gay and she said you know I don't understand it but I accept it and I love you unconditionally. My father had died when I was a sophomore in college. I look back on that and wonder what my father would have thought. My father would have probably had a different viewpoint. There was a little redneck in my father but it doesn't matter. It's only a curiosity but the big deal sort of became a little deal. I could tell you being gay is only a little section of my life today and I have never been turned away or felt minority. When I moved to Tulsa I was accepted by… Toby Jenkins: And what year was that Charles? Charles Faudree: That was almost 30 years ago I opened a shop in Utica Square and you know my clients are all sophisticated and bright enough to understand that gay people are the most creative and that they need us. So my life was good and my life has always been good but I have to say this at 50, at 50 I addressed my drinking. I had you know I never would pass out or black out. I'd only use the word slept or woke up. I slept in a lot of places. I woke up in a lot of places. I woke up in a lot of places. And you know drinking and dealing with myself… Well back up when I was 25 I started drinking because drinking made me be what I wanted to be as well as what I didn't want to be. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 6 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM And I could pursue the gay life and not and you know I could even clap to rhythm. But at 50 with no God in my life I thought you know I have fallen asleep in parking lots and hedges and in places that I wouldn't didn't know how I got there or who I was with. So I had actually my last drink on a New Year's Eve with six gay friends. We went to Dallas for a New Year's Eve black tie at the French room at the Adolphus. And to make a long story short at the end of the night they carried me through the lobby. Passed out or asleep as I used to say. So I went to AA. And again God is doing for me what I can't do for myself. Only went to AA to think I'd get a grip on drinking.Drinking. But you know in AA is where I learned to love myself. Accept myself for exactly what I am. Know that the God that I thought was Catholic is not necessarily Catholic. But is within me and made me exactly like I am. So I can tell you it changed my life. And it also gave me the freedom to say that I was an alcoholic was a hard thing to say. I went to meetings three months before I could say it. I never would say to people that I was gay. But it gave me the freedom to say that I was gay and be proud of the fact that I was gay. Today, I wouldn't change anything about my life. But I can tell you, at 25, you think, why am I not what I thought was normal? Why did I not want to be married and have children? Today, you know, I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life. Today, or back at 50, after 3 years of being sober, I lost an ex-lover to AIDS. Toby Jenkins: And that was what year? Charles Faudree: Well, I was 50 and I'm 75. It was 25 years ago. Speaker 3: Okay. Charles Faudree: 25 years ago. Toby Jenkins: So it would have been right at the beginning of the plague. Charles Faudree: The beginning, and no one knew what it was. It was just a gay disease. But I lost a partner and I lost a dozen friends. And I thought, this is Tulsa. There was Tulsa Caresa and then we were opening the St. Joseph's Hospice. So I thought, I thought I would like to start a fundraiser and maybe do a house tour. Because the Philharmonic had had a house tour that was successful and dropped it. So I met with four women for lunch, my sister being one, Nancy Renburg, Lynn Robertson, like anyway, all women that I thought would be honest with me. And I said, I'd like to do a fundraiser for AIDS, because I didn't know if it would, might even jeopardize my, my job or my livelihood. Toby Jenkins: So prior to this time, Charles, uh, the only fundraising from what I've been told was within the gay community. Nobody had ever reached outside of the gay community to be able to articulate our needs as a community to the greater population. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 7 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM Charles Faudree: That's right. And so I thought it's time to step out. And so I met those four women and said, I'm thinking about a house tour. What do you think? And all four ladies said, you have my house. Thus we started the Hope Candlelight tour. You know, that first year, Nancy Vaughn, all these people, these, uh, straight people helped. We, uh, we didn't know what we were doing. We put the wrong name on the wrong address. Uh, it, it was almost comical, but in spite of that, we made $40,000 the first year, the next year. ..Anyway, within three years, we made a million dollars for Tulsa Cares. We helped St. Joseph’s and Rain[Regional AIDS Interfaith Network], all three had a place on the rain Board. And we helped open St. Joseph’s Hospice., Toby Jenkins: Saturday was world AIDS day. This videotaping is taking place on December the 4th. Am I right? But on Saturday, we were at Circle Cinema with many of your good friends and Clark Weins was at Circle Cinema said he was on the firs RAIN team with you and Dennis Neill. Charles Faudree: Yes. Toby Jenkins: And, uh, so did you help starting teams? Charles Faudree: Uh, uh, Sutherland, what is her name? Mary Brotherton [Mary Cathrine Smotherman] was the founder and she had lost her son. And so they formed a board meeting and we would meet, uh, in Oklahoma City, uh, because that's where she was, uh, oh Lord, those trips to Oklahoma City. Uh, what is the lady minister? Toby Jenkins: Leslie Penrose. Charles Faudree: Leslie Penrose. I drove once with, and, uh, she and someone representing the Jewish, uh, belief wrote with me. They both stepped out of the car when they got home and said, we will never ride with you again. It was just fine with me. But one, one trip to the board meeting in February, I had a flat, flat, and I'm listening to a book on tape. This has nothing to do with what I'm supposed to be telling you. But anyway, I had a flat. So I called AAA and said, I have a flat. And they said, where are you? And I said, I don't know. I'm on the turnpike. And they said, well, where? And I said, I don't know. I'm listening to a book on tape. She said, well, we can't help you. I called a tough guy at my shop and said, what do I do? And he said, well, I can't come if I don't know where you are. Look at the manual. Well, the manual is written by a German. So it's very hard to read. I had not changed the flat since I was in high school where you jacked up a jack. Well, and it was freezing rain. I tried to flag people down. No one would help me. I had to go to the bathroom so bad. I took care of that in the ditch. But I got that manual out, and I put my head on the steering wheel and said, God, help me, help me. Somehow, one hour later, I had changed a flat. I was an hour late for the meeting, but I had a feeling of https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 8 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM accomplishment that you cannot believe. I was, of course, covered in grease, but anyway, it has nothing to do with that. But yes, RAIN was a wonderful organization at the time that it was needed. Toby Jenkins: And kind of explain for our viewers what RAIN was, because a lot of young folks watch these videos and they don't know about this period of our history. Charles Faudree: It was so terrible but so rewarding. We went to the home of people that were not hospitalized but still needed care. We did everything. We would grocery shop for them. We took them to the doctor's appointment. We changed the litter box. We did anything we needed to help them, give them their medication, change their clothing. It was something. My friend, Rob Carpenter, was on our care team [Rob was the client]. And my sister, who has always supported me in everything, she worked on RAIN only because of Rob. She decorated his wheelchair. He loved it. They called him Dolly Hollywood. She, with a connection in Hollywood that we had, had Liz Taylor sign a copy to Dolly Hollywood for him. And we were with him the night…He's the one that took me to my first AA meeting because he was in Illinois. But we were with him the night before and the morning that he died and were able to say how much we loved him. But what a grueling death some of these people went through. Toby Jenkins: And Rob's name is on the quilt here in the lobby as you came through. Charles Faudree: Yes, and we worked on it. We made that quilt. You know, it's a different time with AIDS patients now. You know, St. Joseph's is closed. We worked at St. Joseph. But back to the home tour. What an affirmation it was for Tulsa to step forward and do what they did. This is not New York. And we were not Liz Taylor. But to have the people support us in all of this was unbelievable. And the decorators that I knew in town, each decorator did a room for St. Joseph. It was like a home. And a lot of the people would say this is, they died in a place that was more comfortable and more beautiful than they had lived in. We had, I did the living room, anyway, all of the decorators. And one of them ended up dying in one of the homes, one of the rooms that he had painted clouds on the ceiling and done the decor in the room. So it was a good time, but a very sad time to see people dying like they were. Today, you know, I'm on, and with losing all the friends, I made a promise to God that I found in my life that I would support AIDS fundraising as long as I lived or until there was a cure. I'm dealing with a health problem today myself, but I'm upright. And I have new hope, thanks to the power of prayer and positive thinking and good medicine that I'm going to be around a while. I had cancer 20 years ago when I was 3 years sober and into the candlelight tour and had surgery and it came back 10 years later. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 9 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM Charles Faudree: And I had 7 weeks of radiation and then it came back 3 years ago in the shoulder, in my shoulder, and today it's in 5 places in my bone. But I'm doing, I've been doing chemo since March. I did my first chemo the day of our Red Ribbon Gala. Toby Jenkins: Last year? Charles Faudree: Last year. Toby Jenkins: And how much money did they raise that night? Charles Faudree: $300,000 maybe $400,000. Toby Jenkins: No, it was more than that. It was five or six. I was there. They were honoring you. Charles Faudree: Yes, and what a surprise it was. I knew I was getting a little reward, but I didn't know the whole ink. I would have insisted on more people or more friends come, but I thought it was just another one of those glass awards. But it came at a wonderful time for me, because it was a very low and fearful time, because my doctor had said, this is not curable, but we will do everything we can to maintain it. And we have, and they have and I have. I ended up having what everyone thought was part of the cancer. I actually had Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is a disease that they never know what is brought on, but it's by a nerve that is in your skull right above your ear. But I had this pain that electric shoots would shoot to my head and caused me to have an earache that was pounding and half of my teeth ached as if I had a toothache. So I first went to my dentist who pulled. I'm telling you now this, I'm on a roll, but the dentist said, well, I think it's your back tooth. He pulled the tooth. I'm going to France. So I said, I'm going to France in 10 days, so I need the quickest cure. He said, well, the quickest is to pull it. So they pulled it. I went to France. 10 days later, a week later, I came home. Charles Faudree: I still had the toothache. So I went back to the dentist and he said, well, I think it's the next tooth. He pulled that tooth. Three weeks later, I still had pain. I went to him and he sent me to, I don't know, my terminology is not in the medical field. I think it was an endocrologist or something to diagnose what was wrong with my teeth. So they pulled my third tooth, which had nothing to do with the teeth, it was all this Xgeva that I had been taking for bone density had caused some deterioration of the bone in my jaw, which had caused this trigeminal. But I had gone to even my own doctor, Dr. Gawey, and said, everyone is doing their part, but what about this severe pain that I have in my head and in my ears and my eye? And a lady came in my shop and said, you have the same symptoms that my mother had. And CyberKnife took care of it. So I called Dr. Gawey again and met with https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 10 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM him and said, CyberKnife. So he said, well, we will try that. I don't think that's what it is. But trust me, it was CyberKnife. The woman in charge, the surgeon, or actually she's a radiologist that runs the CyberKnife, diagnosed it immediately. And I took CyberKnife, and I am totally pain-free. Thank you, CyberKnife. Thank you, God. Thank you, the power of prayer. Because I've had people praying for me that I didn't even know. I've gotten cards from people I didn't know. But what is so incredible is to live to be 75 and see the change that has been made. And I know, you know, I'm irritated. I wish all of us would have approached this gay marriage with another term than marriage, if we would have just said anything else but marriage. I know it would have passed in every state. Because every friend I have thinks that we deserve the same equal rights that every married people have. And I believe it. And I may not, you know, this red state that I'm in, I may never see that happen here. I think all we need is a legal commitment. And so that we can have legal rights when our partner is in the hospital. I have a partner of seven years that was my partner two other times for two years. And, you know, is now involved in senior care, as he calls it, taking care of me. But what a gift it is that I have him, because if I didn't, I don't know what I would do. it's a different time. We've come so far to have this equality center and you know, a lady in the, what happened this time? We have a lady in the Senate, ours, you know, that is gay. Toby Jenkins: Tammy Baldwin? Charles Faudree: Yes. You know, it's, I know we're making headway. We've made such headway in the 50 years since I've been out. You know, I would like to say this to all the young people, you know, dealing with coming out. You know, I have a friend now that has a daughter that's a senior in high school and has come out and the mother embraces her beautifully and she also is housing a girl that is 18 that her mother and dad kicked her out. So she's living with my friend Chrissy as well as her daughter. You know, there are people that don't understand this but the truth is, you know, I think gay people, young gay people should give their parents time to embrace it. You know, it took me a time to embrace it myself. We, I didn't, as Leslie Jordan said, I didn't fall out of my mother's womb in red heels. I was a Catholic and I dealt with it. It was a bad time, but it is a good time now. And, you know, I don't know what to say more than that except be thankful for where we are, never give up. You know, I can tell you because of being gay, I have learned to love myself. I'm not afraid to die, but yet I want to live more than I've ever wanted to live. So I'm glad to be https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 11 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM here today and hope that I helped someone with their story or helped their acceptance. Acceptance is a hard thing right now. Acceptance for me is really hard. I can't do what I want to do. I can't jump up and hang a picture on the wall. I haven't been able to travel because of germs on a commercial flight. I have a few clients that have private planes, but I'm on a new mission that just three weeks now that allow me to travel. And I take chemo four times. I mean, I take four pills a day that are chemo instead of the drip in my shunt. So my prayer is that it works and I won't have to go back to the regular chemo because my limitations are not as great as they were. I'm able to fly again. Toby Jenkins: Charles, I want to ask you about, I think the way you have framed this, I wish you had run for office. This is so eloquent the way you've said it, especially the advice you've given to young people. I first got to know you when I had first come out. I'd been fired by the district attorney and kicked out of the biggest church in town. And I found St. Jerome's Church. And that's actually where I got to know you and your mother. Charles Faudree: And my mother. Toby Jenkins: Who, I lived in the same neighborhood as she did. And as my children grew up, we would go down and visit with her on Saturdays and sometimes walk her little dog. I don't remember the little dogs now. But that's where I got attached to you and your mom. How important was finding a place that helped you blend the spiritual part of your life with the authentic self? How important was that? Charles Faudree: It was one of the greatest things that ever happened. Not only for that, but for my mother. I found St. Joseph's purely by accident. We used to have an AIDS walk every AIDS day from one church to another church. And we walked to this church. And I was with Hilary Kitz, who was in some office position then. And we walked and we went to St. Jerome's. I'd never seen that church. I knew it was sort of there because I had helped at St. Joseph's and it was right behind St. Joseph's Church hospice. But I got there and Father Rick was there, a gay priest, and he embraced everybody and I felt at home. So I said to Hilary, I think I'll come back to this church. Because I will tell you, with an alcoholic personality, if you get a little spiritual life, I wanted more. And I missed the pomp and circumstance or the ritual that the Catholic Church had, but I hated the judgment that they had. I still loathe going to a Catholic funeral when they say, would you please be seated while the Catholics take communion. had Father Sweat, he was in my shop today, and I had Father Sweat call and say, can I anoint you, Charles? It's not about dying, it's about living. And I said, Father, you know I https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 12 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM go to another church. And he said, yes, but if I would anoint you, you could come to the convent, which I'm trying to get to heaven any way I can. I had redone and dedicated all my fabrics and furniture to the convent living room. He said, you know all the nuns and come and go to mass on a Sunday, and I will anoint you, and you will be forgiven and you can take communion. And I should have hung up on him. I would be forgiven and I could take communion. You know, I have been forgiven for 23 years. I haven't gone any place that I wouldn't take my God with me. Now, back before when I would fall asleep in places, I took myself to some lonely places. So I found St. Jerome's and I went back that next Sunday, and I've gone Sunday since that I'm in town. I didn't know anybody in that church when I went back, except Father Rick, I had met once at a fundraiser and he thanked me for helping with other fundraisers. But I went back and later I came on the vestry. I met Toby there. And Toby, so my mother one Sunday said, Charles, why don't I go to the church with you? And I said, mother, this, so she, I said, well, that's fine. I'll pick you up. I took her to that church and she took communion. So after church, what a great time it was in my mother's life because she was in her eighties and I got to know her at a different time because my mother was very independent. My mother was a saint. I never heard her say a cuss word. I never saw her say a bad word about any of my sister's ex-husbands or talk about anybody. I wish I were more like her, but she, she said, Charles, I know that's not a Catholic church. So she started going to that church with me and we would have lunch every day. And all of these people like Toby embraced her. She was the matriarch of that church. She loved all the attention I got. She got, she, I'd say, mother, you look good today in red. She said, well, I wore red last week and they gave me so many compliments. Toby and someone else carried her up the steps the last Sunday that she went to church. She early on said, I want to join this church. And father Rick went to her and said, Ruby, you know, this church is not Catholic and the Catholic church would not approve of it. And she said, do you believe that? He said, no. And she said, I don't either. While an affirmation to me as her gay son, that she joined that church, the day that she joined that church, she was 86 and a 19 year old boy, 18 year old boy joined that church. There was not a dry eye in that church. So my sister has since joined that church. She has served on the vestry. We still have more straight people than we did. We have a more mixed race but fewer than I would like. I would like that church to be all, it totally is inclusive. Everyone is invited at the table. But I wish it were a bigger congregation. But Father Rick says, we https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 13 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM are here for those that have no other place to go and not accepted at other churches. So I have to remember that. So, you know, Francie and I have donated a wonderful stained glass window over the altar in memory of my mother who made her, was a motive of her getting up, putting her makeup on and going to church to be embraced with all the members of that church. Toby Jenkins: Well, that is beautiful. And as you know, I would have been, I probably would not have lived a month if I had not had St. Jerome's because spirituality was such an important part of my life. And I had been treated so hostile by the church that I had served so faithfully that if I had not been at St. Jerome's and met people like your mother and the wonderful people there, I probably would not have survived. So really the success of Oklahomans for Equality today, the largest gay rights organization in 43 states, a lot of that has to do with there was a place to help me not feel like that I had been abandoned by God. Just recently, last week, the Human Rights Campaign rated 137 cities across America on how good of cities those were for gay people to live in. And Charles, you may not be aware, but the Oklahoma City and Tulsa and even Wichita and other cities in this region, none of us got real high ratings and they rated Tulsa below 50%. I was interviewed by the media and I told them I felt like HRC had given us a low rating and it wasn't true of what the city was like. What are your thoughts? Do you feel like Tulsa is a welcoming, inclusive city to someone like yourself? Or do you feel like it's a hostile environment for gay people? You know, I don't, I don't think it is. I think it's, I mean, it's like I said earlier up in my story, I have never, ever felt as a minority with the people I work with and all the clients that I have. They have embraced me unbelievably. I will tell you back when I had my first shop, you know, 50 years ago, there was only one bar and it was totally disguised so you almost went underground and I had someone come in my shop with a badge and flash it and tell me that he was under the impression that I was gay and if I would give him a list of gay people in Oklahoma, I would be safe. And I said, well, it's totally an assumption on your part and thank God that's all I said because I went to the back room of my shop and called a gay attorney that Rogers, Bill Rogers, which a lot of you know, I called him and he said, I'll pick you up at the back door and he said, you said the right thing. But that's, I mean, that is a long time ago and you know, we don't feel that way today and it's like I said, it's only a little part of my life today because I feel safe and loved and embraced in Tulsa. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 14 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM Tulsa, you know, it's not, you know, because of the books I've written, I've been on speaking tours and they always say, if you could live anywhere, where would you live? And I say Tulsa, I love living in Tulsa, you know, because it's like I said, 25 years ago, they stepped out and have supported me in everything that I have asked for, in the way of AIDS, our fundraising for gay rights. Toby Jenkins: Well, I just think that is a wonderful way to conclude our interview. Addendum: Charles Faudree Obituary Charles Hamlet Faudree was born February 27, 1938 in Ada, OK to Ruby May (Brewer) and Hamlet Charles Faudree. He passed from this life Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at the age of 75. Charles attended St. Joseph's High School in Muskogee, OK and graduated from Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, OK with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Art Education. He was gifted beyond measure in the field of interior design and was adored around the globe for his attention to detail, his blending of myriad blues and his abject love of all things French. Charles was honored by House Beautiful as one of the top designers in the United States and was the best-selling author of six books on interior design. His fabric and wallpaper lines marketed through Stroheim and his work covered by Veranda, House Beautiful, Southern Accents and Traditional Home among others, Charles leaves an indelible legacy in the field of interior design. A believer in strong community support, he touched the lives of countless Tulsans as the founder of The Hope Candlelight Tour, a passionate supporter of Tulsa CARES, an avid follower and advocate of AA and an enthusiastic parishioner of Parish Church of St. Jerome, ECC and, as well, a bell ringer at Christmas for the Salvation Army. Charles, throughout his life possessed an irrepressible sense of humor and quick wit, was an ardent prankster with a laugh that could light up a room and he collected friends from every walk of life and from every corner of the world. A humble man, generous of spirit beyond measure, caring more about others than self, he loved and lived life to the fullest extent possible and considered himself extraordinarily blessed to have had the support and love of a small and treasured family, the adoration and companionship of a cadre of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and the loyalty and admiration of https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 15 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM an extraordinary number of friends and acquaintances - all of whom considered themselves equally blessed to have called him friend. Charles will be long remembered as a fabulous brother to Francie Faudree Gillman; a caring and loving partner to Bill Carpenter; and, a steadfast companion to Ruby and Lila. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 501 S. Cincinnati Ave., Tulsa, OK In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in Charles' memory to Tulsa CARES at www.tulsacares.org or Parish Church of St. Jerome, ECC at www.stjerometulsa.org. Tulsa World November 29, 2013 Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 The décor expert and longtime presence on Cherry Street was known worldwide. C harles Faudree, a renowned Tulsa-based interior designer and philanthropist, died Wednesday. He was 75. Services are pending with Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. Best known as an expert in French Country décor, Faudree kept a longtime shop and studio in Tulsa's Cherry Street district, and over his 35-year career worked with clients worldwide, won many honors and saw his work featured in various books and magazines. A noted philanthropist as well, Faudree was the guest of honor in March at Tulsa CARES' https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 16 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM 15th annual Red Ribbon Gala, which supports people affected by HIV/AIDS. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 17 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM Faudree was a founding member of the organization. Local artist Patrick "Pat" Gordon knew Faudree for nearly 40 years. "There really wasn't a much better human as Charles," he said. That's not easy to say in this time and day. Charles had the ability to make you feel like you were the most important human being that ever breathed. He was just focused on you. If you didn't know him, your life is a little quieter for it." Former Mayor Kathy Taylor was a client. She said Faudree made an impact not just on the state but for the state. Taylor said his eyes were full of deep kindness and he always had a smile on his face. "When you were with Charles, you always thought you were the only person in his life at that moment," she said. "He would put himself and his incredible talent aside and really focused on making you feel like a great friend and a great person." Interior design wasn't Faudree's first career move. A native of Muskogee, Faudree graduated from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah with an art degree and from there attended the Kansas City Art Institute. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 18 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 He went on to teach art and sell home furnishings, living in Dallas for several 1/26/26, 11:52 AM years. But since he was a boy, when his mother had allowed him to choose his own paint colors for his room, Faudree had an interest in interior design. In late 1977, with his 40th birthday approaching, he decided to move back to Muskogee and open a design studio and antiques shop. Helping redesign a home there for his sister, Francie, Faudree suddenly found himself launched on a new career. Within a few years, Faudree was building an impressive list of clients from across the U.S. and Europe, and his designs were appearing in such magazines as House Beautiful, Southern Living, Traditional Home and House and Garden, as well as a number of decorating books. Named Traditional Home's Designer of the Year in 1995, he was later hailed by House Beautiful as one of America's top 100 interior designers for three consecutive years, 2002-04. Among his higher-profile projects abroad, Faudree was involved in the ongoing restoration of the historic estate La Finca la Caprichosa in Spain. Closer to home, Faudree in 1995 assisted former Oklahoma first lady Cathy Keating in refurbishing the Governor's Mansion. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 19 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 In the early 1970s, Faudree was one of the founders of Oklahomans for Human 1/26/26, 11:52 AM Rights in Oklahoma City. He worked with others to found a Tulsa chapter of OHR □ the forerunner of Oklahomans for Equality □ in the late 1970s. He was on the design team for the renovation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in downtown Tulsa and designed the center's board room. Tracy Salisbury, owner of T.A. Lorton, said Faudree touched many people worldwide and had an undeniable gift as an interior designer. "We had this funny relationship, said Salisbury, who had known Faudree since she was 15. She had her senior internship with him. "He was a grandfather to my children, a brother to me, a best friend □ just like he is with many people. Charles is a most cherished friend of mine. He is irreplaceable in my life and my family's." Faudree wrote five books on design. His first, in 2003, "Charles Faudree's Country French Signature," was released by Gibbs-Smith Publishers and is now in its ninth printing with more than 60,000 copies sold. https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/localobituaries/renowned-tulsa-bas…audree-dies-at-75/article_4827f46c-5846-5c8e-8c2a-d94e08ee8551.html Page 20 of 21 �Renowned Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree dies at 75 1/26/26, 11:52 AM In 2008, Faudree created his own fabric line, a first for him, collaborating with Tulsa-based textile brand Vervain. Although French Country remained his favorite □ Southern décor was also high on his list □ Faudree believed that good decorating was "about the mix and not the match" and that varying styles, both old and modern, could be brought together to create settings of beauty and comfort. Faudree also had a passion for dogs. He owned several of his favorite breed, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, over the last 25 years, while building an impressive collection of dog paintings and statues. Faudree is survived by his partner, Bill Carpenter, and a sister, Francie Faudree Gillman. 21 � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/afadae3c8c3311539745e4ef62a6ad06.pdf 7cbb2a826cc47dfcaa822f8bebf2d481 PDF Text Text Charles Faudree was an important part of the design team who helped bring about Oklahomans for Equality Dennis R. Neill Equality Center dedicated in Tulsa in 2007. Charles passed away in 2013. The information below is from his obituary. Charles Hamlet Faudree was born February 27, 1938 in Ada, OK to Ruby May (Brewer) and Hamlet Charles Faudree. He passed from this life Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at the age of 75. Charles attended St. Joseph's High School in Muskogee, OK and graduated from Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, OK with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Art Education. He was gifted beyond measure in the field of interior design and was adored around the globe for his attention to detail, his blending of myriad blues and his abject love of all things French. Charles was honored by House Beautiful as one of the top designers in the United States and was the best-selling author of six books on interior design. His fabric and wallpaper lines marketed through Stroheim and his work covered by Veranda, House Beautiful, Southern Accents and Traditional Home among others, Charles leaves an indelible legacy in the field of interior design. A believer in strong community support, he touched the lives of countless Tulsans as the founder of The Hope Candlelight Tour, a passionate supporter of Tulsa CARES, an avid follower and advocate of AA and an enthusiastic parishioner of Parish Church of St. Jerome, ECC and, as well, a bell ringer at Christmas for the Salvation Army. Charles, throughout his life possessed an irrepressible sense of humor and quick wit, was an ardent prankster with a laugh that could light up a room and he collected friends from every walk of life and from every corner of the world. A humble man, generous of spirit beyond measure, caring more about others than self, he loved and lived life to the fullest extent possible and considered himself extraordinarily blessed to have had the support and love of a small and treasured family, the adoration and companionship of a cadre of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and the loyalty and admiration of an extraordinary number of friends and acquaintances - all of whom considered themselves equally blessed to have called him friend. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Toby Jenkins Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Charles Faudree Location The location of the interview Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Video Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) 42 minutes Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2012] Charles Faudree Oral History Interview Subject The topic of the resource Interview of Charles Faudree by OkEq Executive Director Toby Jenkins Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Toby Jenkins on December 4, 2012. Born on February 27, 1938, in Ada, Oklahoma, Charles spent his early years in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He graduated from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He taught art in a junior high in Tulsa, then relocated to Oklahoma City to open a design store. Later he returned to Tulsa and continued his retail design and furniture store occupation while becoming one of the best-known interior designers in the United States, specializing in French style and antiques. He was instrumental in funding early work in Tulsa to assist those living with AIDS through his work with Tulsa Cares and overseeing the design of St. Joseph’s House in Tulsa. He worked with Kirk Holt of Cisar/Holt in rallying designers to help with the improvements at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center which serves as the home of Oklahomans for Equality. Charles passed on November 27, 2013 in Tulsa.<br /><br />Physical tapes not yet located. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Toby Jenkins, Charles Faudree, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 4, 2012 2012 AIDS AIDS/HIV biography Charles Faudree Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Equality Center HIV HIV/AIDs HIV/AIDs outreach Hope Candlelight Tour interview Kirk Holt Northeastern State University Northeastern State University (NSU) NSU Obituaries Obituary OkEq OkEq Equality Center OKEQ Oral History Project Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) oral history Oral History Project Parish Church of Saint Jerome Parish Church of St. Jerome Saint Joseph's House Salvation Army St. Joseph's House Toby Jenkins transcript Tulsa CARES video Vintage Series