On February 17, 2023, Charlie James Rumph, a loving husband, father, and brother, passed away peacefully at home in Akron, Ohio.

Charlie, known to some as Charles, was a generous and lighthearted person, quick to express compliments to family and friends. He will always be known for the gift of conversation.  He was born in Mt. Andrew, Alabama, and after graduating from high school, he settled in Akron, Ohio.

Charlie gained employment in the hospitality industry and then the auto industry. He was employed by General Motors Corporation in Hudson, Ohio, transferred to Kansas City, Kansas, and returned to Akron, Ohio, to finish out his career and retiring with 32 years of service. He also retired from First Merit Bank after 10 years of service and as a Process Server within the State of Ohio for 5 years.

He had been a long-time devoted member and was serving as a Deacon at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio. He and his wife, Edna, would visit residents monthly at local nursing homes, serve communion to the shut-in, deliver meals to the elderly, and assist with the community outreach day.

Charlie was also a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and attended meetings, volunteered at the local chapter, and traveled with the organization.

He spoke fluent German, was the cab-dad for family and friends, loved to model, shuffled his feet, and turned around like James Brown – as he would say. In his free time, Charlie enjoyed touring, sight-seeing, driving and airplanes. He failed his pilot license due to sight-seeing, instead of operating the aircraft.

He will be greatly missed by his loving family and will always be remembered in our hearts.  We are sincerely grateful to those who have given us support and comfort during this time of loss.

Charlie was proceeded in death by his mother, Valuise Mae Rumph; his wife of 52 years, Edna Rumph (née Bradley); brother, Richard Ivy; sister, Willie Beatrice Alexander; son-in-law, Tedd Carroll; special cousin, Mary Lee McCorvey, all of Akron, Ohio, and Elbert Rumph of Buffalo, NY; granddaughter, Denise Minor; and great-grandson, Joshua Rumph.

Charlie is survived by his sister, Betty Lucas of Hampton, GA; children, Larry (Claudette) Rumphs, Robin (Bennie) Minor, Charlene Carroll, Gary Rumph, Valuise Rumph Robinson, and Kathy (Bennie) Williams; special nephew, Kevin Cole; loving grandchildren, Andre’, Leslie (Kevin), Brenda, Ashley, Aaron, Jamar, Theodore, Valuise C. (Quanus), Jessica, Timothy (Katherine), Rachel, Christopher, Matthew, Tiara, John, Katherine, and Gabrielle; 17 great-grandchildren; special caregiver, David Benson; as well as a host of relatives and friends.