Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 19, 2025

CHARLOTTE - Charles Ivan Mothershead, III died at home of natural causes on May 19, 2025. He was born in Norfolk, VA to Charles Ivan Mothershead, Jr. and Johnny Lybrook Mothershead Spann.

Ivan graduated from Page High School in Greensboro, NC. He attended NC State University where he received a BA and MA, both in Economics. Ivan was on the NC State Student Council where he was student body president and began his love of politics.

Ivan worked for the Southwestern Company during his college years as a door-to-door book salesman. This experience led to his founding his own publishing company, UMI Publications Inc., in Charlotte, NC in 1973. He published sports-focused magazines and books, specifically for college athletics and NASCAR, including the ACC Basketball Handbook and The Official NASCAR Yearbook. At one point, he was the longest consecutive NASCAR licensee.

In 1983, Ivan married Dorothy Tull of Charlotte. They had two sons, Charles Ivan Mothershead, IV and Parker Tull Mothershead.

Ivan served as a Representative of the North Carolina House for two terms from 1985 to1989, representing Mecklenburg County and Charlotte’s district 55. He was a true free market, libertarian leaning Republican. He worked hard for special appropriations benefitting Charlotte, including road construction projects and the Mecklenburg Boy Scouts.

Serving under Governor James Martin and a Democratic majority legislature, he frequently sought hearty discussions on both sides of the aisle. He loved teasing out ideas and was not afraid to make his position known. After his departure from serving, the House Speaker was quoted as saying about Ivan, “You ever had a chigger on you? After they’re gone, you kind of miss the scratching?”

Ivan’s personality was “larger than life.” This could be seen in anything from his involvement for many years at Christ Episcopal Church as the Acolyte Advisor, to his regular attendance at the “dungeon” at Myers Park Country Club, or on fishing trips with friends at the Yadkin River Club. Ivan had a gregarious and endearing personality, a big heart, and a tremendous loyalty to his friends.

In his youth, Ivan earned the Eagle Scout Award and developed his love for the outdoors and scouting. Even in adulthood, he took his responsibility to “Be Prepared” and “Do a Good Turn Daily” seriously. In his later years, Ivan served as a board member on the Boy Scouts of America, Mecklenburg County Council. He was very proud that his two sons were also Eagle Scouts.

Ivan is survived by his two sons, Charles Ivan Mothershead, IV (Ashleigh) of Charlotte, NC and Parker Tull Mothershead (Monica), of Atlanta, GA.

He is also survived by his seven grandchildren. Charles Ivan Mothershead, V, John Augustus Mothershead, of Charlotte, NC, Shepherd Thomas Mothershead, Lillian Lybrook Mothershead, Palmer Elizabeth Mothershead, William Andrew Mothershead, and Fletcher James Mothershead, of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his sisters, Jane Mothershead Jarvis, of Myrtle Beach, SC and Yvonne Mothershead Wade, of Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

A memorial will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 on Tuesday June 3, 2025, at 1:00pm, with a reception to follow at Myers Park Country Club. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Boys Scouts of America, Mecklenburg County Council (Give Online), 1410 East 7th Street, Charlotte NC. 28204 or Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.