Carleton Edward "C.O" Overstreet, Sr.

The cold winter day of January 14, 1961 was filled with joy, excitement and praises to God from Shirley and Minnie Overstreet because they were guaranteed a legacy with the birth of their third son, Carleton Edward. He was welcomed into the family by his two brothers Eric Dwayne and Bryant Lenell. Shirley Mae served as the big sister and cheerleader.

Shirley and Minnie always made Reynolds Street a home to many. There was always a group "hanging" with the Overstreet family. This spirit of caring hospitality and making all that came by were continued by Carl. There was always a place for family, friends, acquaintances and children on "Reynolds". Cook outs, birthday celebrations, singing group rehearsals were all held there and the food supply never ended. Everybody was welcomed by Carl in the same fashion as his parents.

Carleton loved the Lord and accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego, CA under the leadership of the late Dr. S.M. Lockridge. Carleton was a dedicated and long-time member of Calvary. He participated in Sunday school, Youth For Action and the Youth Usher Board. However, his love was being a member of the Youth Choir under the direction of Rev. Joseph Slade. We all have many fond memories of our days in the youth choir. After the passing of Dr. Lockridge, Carleton joined Blessed Trinity Christian Center, Pastor Ronald Cobbs. He served as the Director of the church choir. His final church membership was at New Paradise Baptist Church, Pastor James E. Moore. There too, Carleton was the director for both the male chorus and the male chorus praise team.

Carleton was blessed to have a mother that was in the field of elementary education, which afforded him to have the best educational foundation possible. Carleton attended Knox Elementary located just two blocks from his home and was escorted every day by his mother - she went to work and he went to school. He went on to continue his education at Bell Jr. High school and completed his schooling at the infamous Abraham Lincoln High School. Many would say that Carleton truly left his mark at Lincoln High School. He was voted by his Senior Class as most popular and of course, CLASS CLOWN! He also was a member of the gospel choir under the direction of the ever so loved Louise Pearson. Although Carleton drove Mrs. Pearson absolutely crazy – she loved him like he was her own son. Carleton was also a member of Lincoln’s track team, specifically the 440 relay team, which went on to compete and win the CIF State Championship in 1979.

On November 2, 1991 Carleton married his childhood sweetheart and the mother of his two children, Andrea "Punkin" Dixon. Although their union was short lived, they set the perfect example of co-parenting and maintained a true friendship.

Carleton had several passions one being the sport of baseball. He played the sport as a child growing up with Southeastern Baseball Little League. He later played adult softball with various local and travel leagues around the city. However, most of his passion lied in "coaching" Little League! He was known to many as "Coach Carl" at Oak Park Little League for 25 plus years, until the league eventually dissolved. He and his Assistant Coach and dear friend, "Coach Black" was a force to be reckoned with. This dynamic duo went on to win a multitude of championships at both the league and District level. EVERYBODY wanted to play for Coach Carl and the Oak Park Dodgers!! Coach Carl was known for distracting and confusing the back

catchers and 3rd baserunners with his famous words "slide….slide…slide". Coach Carl impacted an enormous amount of young kid’s lives both on and off the field.

Another passion was lowriding. His first lowrider was a bicycle. You could hear him coming from miles away by playing melodies on his horns. He was the founder and President of the International Lowrider Car Club. He owned several of his own personal lowriders including the family owned Buick, Cutlass. His mother would always say, "that’s why I stopped driving was because Carl took MY Cutlass and turned it into a lowrider". He was well known and respected amongst his fellow lowriders.

Carleton was often referred to as THE Funeral Singer! There was hardly ever a funeral of a resident of Southeast San Diego that Carl did not sing at. He was truly your go to. If he wasn’t on program to sing, you could rest assure that he would put himself on program. You could always expect the guests to be uplifted by his jokes and upbeat personality.

His singing talent led him to many other opportunities such as being a part of Choice Entertainers, an all-male, a cappella doo-wop group. This group of talented men received the San Diego Critic Craig Noel’s Outstanding Theatrical Award. The group gained local notoriety with their television commercial for King Stahlman Bail Bondsman and the Folgers coffee Jingle. They traveled near and far to share their musical talent. He also had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a group of singers at the memorial service for Tony "Mr. Padre" Gwynn.

He appeared in many live stage plays under the direction of Calvin Manson, founder and Artistic Director of the Ira Aldridge Repertory Players such as Raising the Rent, Black Nativity, The Prodigal Son, The Gospel at Colonus, Lookin’ for an Echo, and Dancin’ in the Street.

And on the 7th day God rested…. Genesis 2:2; on Sunday March 12, 2017 this was not the case for Brother Carl, instead he went and labored for the Lord one last time. He was called in to direct the Voices of New Paradise choir. Despite his health condition, he gracefully agreed because he knew the church needed his help. He directed and led the song titled "I Want to Make Heaven My Home". He struggled with his labored breathing while directing the choir – however, he managed to get thru this last earthly assignment from the Lord. Later that evening, he transitioned on to join his mother and father and he too made "Heaven his Home".

Preceding him in his death are his parents Shirley and Minnie Overstreet and his niece, Theresa Edwards. He is survived by his "Soul Mate," Sandra "Sister-Sister" Burrell; Sister, Shirley Mae Murrell; Two brothers, Eric and Bryant Overstreet; his two loving children, his name sake, Carleton Edward Overstreet, Jr. and his "Daddy’s Girl", Tiffini Monique Overstreet; three grandchildren, DaiShaun (his heart beat), Alazah and Jay’lon; Aunts, Louise Overstreet and Bessie Chestang; a "very special" Cousin, Ira Henderson; nephews Ron Edwards, D’Angelo Overstreet, DeAndre Overstreet and Thomas Overstreet; Nieces Amber Overstreet, Ashley Manning, Brianna Overstreet, Iyanna Overstreet, Kennesha Overstreet and Shay’bryah Overstreet; one other that he called daughter, Cerita Burrell (grandson, Malachai); Goddaughters, Marcia Allen and Laioni Brooks: and a host of other relatives and close friends that will miss truly miss him. One thing is for certain, C.O.'s legacy will carry on forever.