Charles Ross

Charles Green Ross, 88, of Erie, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at his home following an extended illness.  He was born August 4, 1930, in Laurel Mississippi, son of the late Charles Ross Sr. and Susie Smith Ross Floyd.  He was a lifelong resident of Erie.  Charles enlisted at a young age in the US Navy. After receiving an honorable discharge on August 1, 1957, he continued to serve in the Naval Reserve through November 1, 1961.  A life-long hard worker, he held several jobs in Erie; first as a fabricator with Griswold Manufacturing, the company known world-wide for high quality cast-iron cookware; and later as a skilled roofer with Luciano Brothers, Inc. in Bristol, PA. Charles then became employed at General Electric in Lawrence Park where he worked for many years as a welder. 

Charles was a proud member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Masonic Temple of Erie PA (Bay City Lodge #68); and was former PM of Lodge #68. He held positions of increasing rank; eventually serving as Grand Potentate. Charles was a member of the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Erie.  Prior to this, he sang in the Men’s Choir as a former member of the St. James AME Church.

Charles enjoyed numerous sports, traveling, photography and film-making, fishing, music, dancing, boating and archery.  However, time spent with friends and family was especially dear to him.  Besides his parents, Charles was preceded in death by two brothers, Norman Ross and Nathaniel Ross, his son-in-law Tony Thornton, Sr., and his sister-in-law Dorothy Ross. Charles leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Valerie (Johnson) Ross; two daughters, Debra (Ross) Gambill (Billy), and Lydia (Ross) Thornton of Erie; two sons, Timothy Ross (Tracy) and Morley (Phillip) Ross (Kathryn); two brothers, Random Ross and Marshall L. Ross of Erie; two sisters, Edna J. Baker of Aurora, Colorado and Ruby J. Carver of Detroit Michigan; numerous grandchildren, Nettie (Ross) Johnson (Darnell), Tony L. Joseph Thornton, Kiya L. Thornton, Charles Fabian Gambill, Matthew L. Thornton, Darius H. Gambill, Brandon L. Thornton, Laines Ross, Dalhart Ross, Jillissia Ross, Danae Ross, Isaiah Ross, J.T. Ross, Trista Ross, Alexis Ross, and Seth Ross all of Erie; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, great-grandchildren, loved ones and friends. Charles will be dearly missed by all.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10^th Street, on Thursday, December 27^th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to a funeral service at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 1813 Schaal Avenue, Erie on Friday, December 28^th at 11:00 AM. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 1813 Schaal Ave., Erie, PA  16510.