Mr. Charles Randolph Ellison, 76, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2024 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. Charles was born the youngest of five children to Cardozia and Mabel Smith Ellison on June 4, 1947 in Bennettsville, SC. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers, Nathaniel and Calvin; and his sister, Virginia.

Charles graduated from Phelps High School in the District of Columbia in 1965. After high school he served in the Air Force for four years before an honorable discharge in 1969. Following the Air Force, he served 23 ½ years with the Washington D.C. Police Force before retiring in August 1992. His work was not yet done, and retirement did not suit him. He returned to work again, for another 12 years and 9 months, for the Federal Reserve Police. He retired a second time, as a sergeant, in December 2005.

After the most remarkable love story ever told, in 1984, Charles married the love of his life, Harriett Smith. Together they raised two children: Harry John (Johnny) and Nathaniel Alvarez (Nicky). Charles loved to travel; he especially loved his annual trips to Las Vegas. If a Cowboys game was on you could bet, he was watching it! He loved watching movies or falling asleep with the movies watching him. He enjoyed his morning walks, and you could always guarantee he’d still have a newspaper to read.

He leaves to cherish his memory two sons, Harry John Doulgas (Keri) and Nathaniel Alvarez Ellison (Danielle); grandchildren, Imoni, Safiyya, Zoe, and Kylah; and his brother, Lee Ellison (Diane); and a host of other loving family members and friends.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Service Chapel. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 2:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.