Dr. Charles Arthur Elliott

A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says to him, "Why the long face?" If you ever met Charlie, you heard this joke, followed quickly by his infectious laughter. 

Dr. Charles Arthur Elliott passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, at home in Asheville, North Carolina, at the age of 85. Born on November 27, 1940, in Biloxi, Mississippi, Dr. Elliott never met a stranger, always stopped to listen to street musicians, and had a story for every occasion.

With a profound love for music, Dr. Elliott made a significant impact in his career as an educator and musician. He held positions at various public schools in Mississippi and Texas and eventually transitioned into higher education, serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas, later as a Full Professor at the University of South Carolina and the University of Southern Mississippi and becoming the director of the school of music, where he held the distinguished title of Professor Emeritus. His contributions to the field were further highlighted through his presentations at numerous international conferences, sharing his knowledge and passion for music with a wider audience. His most notable research was “Race and Gender as Factors in Judgements of Musical Performance.” This research caused many states to adopt blind judging.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Elliott was known for his vibrant personality. He embraced life fully, cherishing moments with his family, sharing laughter over a good joke, and enjoying salted in-the-shell peanuts. He stayed active in bowling leagues and even continued to preform in bands at local breweries well into his 80s. His love of life had a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Dr. Elliott is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Carolyn Brackeen Elliott; children: Charles Philip Elliott and his wife Garner, Marie Elliott Evans, and Elizabeth Ann Elliott and her husband Jason Caplan, and grandchildren: Charles Bedford Elliott, Devin Powell and her husband John, Elliott Manning Evans, Arden Michaela Borntrager, Elias Brooke Borntrager, Evan Caplan, and Chloe Caplan. He also leaves behind half-brothers: Danny Elliott, Kevin Elliott, and Darrell Elliott; nieces Shelly Elliott Huff, Leslie Gullo and her husband Jeff; nephew Glenn Brackeen and his wife Marcette; and many other extended family who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents,  Mildred Ann McCaleb Elliott and Dan Elliott; his brother, Wayne Elliott and his wife Scarlett; nephew Wayne Elliott, and half-brothers, Richard Elliott and Sammy Elliott.

No services are planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Charles and Carolyn Elliott Endowed Scholarship In Music Education at The University of Southern Mississippi, or to MemoryCare of Asheville, 

As we reflect on Dr. Charles Arthur Elliott’s life, we honor his legacy in music and education, and remember the joy he brought to those around him. His spirit will continue to live on in the memories he created and the lives he touched.

Anders Rice & Roper Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve Dr. Elliott's family.