Josephine Charles Cofield was born on May 28, 1940 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina to George and Minnie Williams-Charles. She was the 5th of 10 children. Both her parents and siblings Fannie, Benjamin, Velma, Ethel, Gracie, and Leroy all preceded her in death. At an early age she accepted Christ and was baptized sanctified religious also she attended Edgecombe County Schools.

On November 5, 1955 she was united in holy matrimony with Willie E. Cofield. From this union 3 children were born. In 1959 they relocated to Cleveland, Ohio.

Once settled she began working at Earl Scheib Paint and Body for 27 years retiring in the late 80s due to injury. In 1985 she lost her husband of 30 years. He and Willie Cofield Jr. both preceded her in death.

Those who knew her knew she LOVED to collect elephants, gamble, travel, cook, and be around her family. She was very spiritual and loved her gospel music but she was also very spicy and would tell you like it was. She was definitely one of “The Charles Girls”. Those who knew her knew that you could come to her with anything and she would not judge but would listen and advise you sternly yet lovingly.

She leaves to cherish her legacy 2 daughters Joann (Fred) Montgomery, Gwendolyn (Myron) Smith Sr, 2 bonus daughters Stella King and Charolotte Moore, 8 grandchildren Santon Cofield, Marquita (Lloyd) Watson, Frederick (Desheena) Montgomery, Gwenetta Smith, James Montgomery, Danita (Edward) Robinson, Myron Smith Jr. (Hyattsville MD) and Towana Montgomery, 2 Brothers Archie Ray Charles (Cleveland, Oh) and Lindberg (Shirley) Charles (Tarboro, North Carolina), 1 sister Pastor Meichell ( Pastor David) Pride Sr. (Petersburg, VA), 1 brother in law Willie Herman (Shirley) Whitfield (Lithonia, Georgia),1 Aunt Lula Stancil (Robersonville North Carolina), and close friend for over 60 years Jeanette Isom, 18 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In closing the family would like to say a huge Thank You to her friends for the many bedside  visits, the nurses and doctors at Marymount Hospital (2 South) and CrossRoads Hospice Care. We could not have done this without you.