Charles Wayne Hendricks is best known as the son of legendary musician Ray Charles and singer Margie Hendrix. Born in 1959, he was one of Ray Charles’ 12 children and the only child he had with Margie Hendrix. While his father became one of the most recognized musicians in American history, Charles Wayne lived a much quieter life away from the entertainment spotlight.
His family background connects him to an important period in American music. His father was a pioneering singer, pianist, and songwriter, while his mother was a talented vocalist and an original member of the Raelettes. Because Charles Wayne did not build a public career of his own, much less is known about his personal and professional life.
Charles Wayne Hendricks Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Charles Wayne Hendricks |
| Date of Birth | October 1, 1959 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Father | Ray Charles |
| Mother | Margie Hendrix |
| Siblings | 11 paternal half-siblings |
| Known For | Being the son of Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix |
| Profession | Not publicly documented |
| Nationality | American |
| Mother’s Group | The Raelettes |
| Public Profile | Lived largely away from the spotlight |
| Death | Not conclusively established |
| Cause of Death | Not established |
Who Was Charles Wayne Hendricks?
Charles Wayne Hendricks was the son of Ray Charles Robinson, known professionally as Ray Charles, and singer Margie Hendrix. Records about Ray Charles’ family identify Charles Wayne as being born on October 1, 1959, in New York City. He was the fourth of Ray Charles’ 12 children and the only child born from his relationship with Margie Hendrix.
Charles Wayne grew up with a famous family name, but he did not become a well-known entertainer like his father. There is little information about a separate public career for him, and most references to his life focus on his parents and his place within Ray Charles’ large family.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Early Life and Family Background
Charles Wayne was born during an important period in Ray Charles’ career. By 1959, Ray Charles had already established himself as a major recording artist, while Margie Hendrix was performing with the Raelettes, the vocal group that backed him.
Margie Hendrix and Ray Charles had a relationship that resulted in the birth of Charles Wayne. His childhood was shaped by parents who were deeply involved in music, although his own life later remained mostly outside the public eye. Details about his education, interests, and early career are not widely documented.
Who Were Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Parents?
Charles Wayne’s parents were two people closely connected to the history of rhythm and blues. His father, Ray Charles, became an internationally recognized musician whose work blended gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and country influences. His mother, Margie Hendrix, was a respected singer who became one of the original members of the Raelettes.
Their musical backgrounds are an important part of Charles Wayne’s story. Both parents were active in the music world when he was born, giving him a direct connection to one of the most influential periods in Ray Charles’ career.
Ray Charles as His Father
Ray Charles Robinson was born in 1930 in Albany, Georgia, and became one of America’s most influential musicians. His career included singing, piano playing, songwriting, and recording, and his music crossed several genres.
Ray Charles had 12 biological children with nine different women. Charles Wayne was born in 1959 from his relationship with Margie Hendrix. The family list associated with Ray Charles identifies Charles Wayne alongside his 11 paternal half-siblings.
Ray Charles died on June 10, 2004, after a career that lasted for decades. His musical work continues to be the main reason his family remains of interest to fans and researchers.
Margie Hendrix as His Mother
Margie Hendrix was an American rhythm and blues singer and one of the original members of the Raelettes. The group became known for providing backing vocals for Ray Charles, and Hendrix was particularly recognized for her powerful voice.
Hendrix was born in 1935 and died on July 14, 1973, in New York City. Her relationship with Ray Charles resulted in the birth of Charles Wayne in 1959. She was only 38 when she died, meaning Charles Wayne lost his mother while he was still young.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Siblings
Charles Wayne Hendricks was one of Ray Charles’ 12 biological children. His paternal half-siblings include Evelyn Robinson, Ray Charles Robinson Jr., David Robinson, Robert Robinson, Renee Robinson, Sheila Robinson, Reatha Butler, Alexandra Bertrand, Vincent Kotchounian, Robyn Moffett, and Ryan Corey Robinson den Bok.
The siblings were born over several decades and to different mothers. Charles Wayne’s place in the family comes from his relationship with Margie Hendrix, while several of his siblings were born to other women in Ray Charles’ life.
Did Charles Wayne Hendricks Have a Wife and Children?
Some online biographies state that Charles Wayne Hendricks was married to a woman named Marlene Hendricks and had seven children. However, the obituary used for these claims belongs to a Charles Wayne Hendricks who was born on October 19, 1949, and died in 2013. That birth year does not match the October 1, 1959, birth date associated with Ray Charles’ son.
Because of this difference, the wife and children mentioned in that obituary should not automatically be identified as the family of Ray Charles’ son. The available records do not provide enough information to confidently connect those family details to the Charles Wayne Hendricks born in 1959.
What Happened to Charles Wayne Hendricks?
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ adult life is not extensively documented. Unlike his father, he did not establish a public career in music or become a regular presence in the media. As a result, information about his later years is much more limited than information about Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix.
One reason his later life has become difficult to trace is the existence of another Charles Wayne Hendricks with a similar name. A Colorado obituary records a Charles Wayne Hendricks who was born in 1949 and died on May 7, 2013. The same record names a wife and children, but its birth information does not match the 1959 birth date associated with Ray Charles’ son.
The 2013 Charles Wayne Hendricks Obituary
The 2013 obituary is important when discussing Charles Wayne Hendricks because it has been used by some online biographies to describe Ray Charles’ son. However, the obituary itself gives the deceased man’s birth date as October 19, 1949. It also identifies him as a resident of Aurora, Colorado and lists Marlene Hendricks as his wife.
Ray Charles’ son is identified as Charles Wayne Hendricks, born on October 1, 1959. The ten-year difference between the two birth dates means the 2013 obituary should not be treated as his death record without additional evidence directly connecting the two identities.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Death and Cause of Death
Some online articles state that Charles Wayne Hendricks died on May 7, 2013, at age 53. That date comes from the obituary of the 1949-born Charles Wayne Hendricks. Because the obituary’s birth date conflicts with the 1959 birth date associated with Ray Charles’ son, the 2013 death date cannot safely be presented as the death date of Ray Charles’ son.
For the same reason, a specific cause of death should not be attached to Ray Charles’ son without a record that clearly identifies him. The available information does not establish a cause of death for the Charles Wayne Hendricks born in 1959.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Place in Ray Charles’ Family
Charles Wayne Hendricks remains an important part of Ray Charles’ family history because he was the musician’s son with Margie Hendrix. His mother was an original member of the Raelettes, while his father became one of the most influential figures in American music.
His own life was very different from his father’s public career. Charles Wayne did not become known as a musician or entertainer, and much of his personal story remains outside the public record. His connection to Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix is therefore the central part of his biography.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When Was Charles Wayne Hendricks Born?
Charles Wayne Hendricks was born on October 1, 1959, in New York City. He was the son of Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix.
2. Who Was Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Mother?
His mother was Margie Hendrix, an American rhythm and blues singer and an original member of the Raelettes.
3. Who Was Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Father?
His father was Ray Charles Robinson, the legendary musician and recording artist known professionally as Ray Charles.
4. Was Charles Wayne Hendricks Ray Charles’ Son?
Yes. Charles Wayne Hendricks was Ray Charles’ son with singer Margie Hendrix. He was one of Ray Charles’ 12 biological children.
How Many Siblings Did Charles Wayne Hendricks Have?
He had 11 paternal half-siblings because Ray Charles had 12 biological children in total.
5. Did Charles Wayne Hendricks Have a Wife and Children?
Some sources associate a wife named Marlene Hendricks and seven children with a Charles Wayne Hendricks. However, the obituary containing those details identifies a man born in 1949, while Ray Charles’ son was born in 1959. The two records cannot safely be treated as the same person.
6. Did Charles Wayne Hendricks Die in 2013?
A man named Charles Wayne Hendricks died on May 7, 2013, according to a Colorado obituary. However, that man was born in 1949, so the obituary does not establish that Ray Charles’ son died on that date.
7. What Was Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Cause of Death?
A specific cause of death has not been established for the Charles Wayne Hendricks born in 1959.
Conclusion
Charles Wayne Hendricks was born on October 1, 1959, to legendary musician Ray Charles and singer Margie Hendrix. He was one of Ray Charles’ 12 biological children and the only child Ray Charles had with Margie Hendrix. His mother was an original member of the Raelettes, while his father went on to become one of the most influential musicians of his generation.
Charles Wayne lived a much quieter life than his famous parents, and relatively little is known about his personal and professional years. Claims about his wife, children, and death have been complicated by records belonging to another man with the same name. Keeping those identities separate is important when telling his story. What can be established is his place in the Ray Charles family and his connection to Margie Hendrix, two figures whose work remains an important part of American music history.
