Charles Harrell

Charles Howard Harrell

Charles Howard Harrell, known also as C.H., Charlie or Harrell, was born on August 23, 1929 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. He was the third child of four and only son born to Charlie and Mary Harrell.

Charlie graduated from Second Ward High School in Charlotte North Carolina in June of 1947.

After high school, Charles made his way to New York City to join his mother and sisters. After attending City College for two years, studying Business Administration, he decided to enlist in the United States Army. Enduring a segregated south for basic training, Charles was then sent to Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. Loving the adventure, he re-enlisted and dedicated a total of 6 years to the United States Army.

While serving in the Army, his mother hand selected his future bride, their neighbor, Dottie. When Charles returned from the Army, he joined Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. There he served as an usher and learned and grew under the “the dean of American preaching,” Reverend Gardner C. Taylor. Charles would often quote some of the gems learned from Reverend Taylor.

In June of 1965, Charlie married his beautiful, mother selected, bride Dottie. To this union, they were blessed with one daughter, Rhonda.

Charlie moved his family of three from Brooklyn to Union, New Jersey. He gave up his printing business in Manhattan to work closer to his family. He began working for the Union Township Board of Education and retired after nearly 25 years. He was loved by his coworkers and friends.

After God and family, Charlie loved church. He had a heart for service. He attended First Baptist Church of Vauxhall for almost 20 years. He served on the usher board as well as Chairman of the Trustee Board. In 1995, Charles became a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Springfield, New Jersey. He came ready to serve. He joined the Men’s choir, the Usher board and served as Chairman of the Trustee Board until his death.

Charlie gave of himself wherever and whenever needed. He enjoyed his family and they loved him dearly. He held a special place in his heart for his two granddaughters who affectionately called him “Chally.” They adored him.

He was a devoted New York Knicks fan (until recently when the Nets started to look more promising) and a New York Giants fan. He loved tinkering around his house and creating new projects for himself.

He dedicated the last three years of his life caring for his wife Dottie. He would often say, “God prepared me for this.”

Charles will be missed by his family but we know that he and his beloved Dottie are together, dancing on the streets made of gold.

Charlie is survived by his best friend and daughter, Rhonda.

Son-in-law Keith; Granddaughters, Courtney and Sydni; His loving sisters, Rosa Cox and Mattie McNair. A host of loving nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation for Charlie at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Tuesday February 9 from 11am to 1pm. A Funeral Service will be celebrated in the funeral home at 1pm, and burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth.

A ZOOM LIVESTREAM WILL BE AVAILABLE TO WATCH FOR THE FUNERAL SERVICE. Personal Meeting ID 997 533 3817   Password: 2800