Charles Pryor

Charles E. Pryor, 84, of Columbus, OH sadly passed away after fighting a host of lengthy illnesses on August 31, 2020. His battle came to an end on the morning of the 31st while at Otterbein New Albany Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Charles E. Pryor was born on January 23, 1936, in Cedartown, Ga to Mary Lou (nee Pace) and Robert M. Pryor. He was the second of eight children born to this union. Growing up, Charles often recalled going into the fields with his siblings and cousins and helping tend the land his family lived on and took great pride in these memories. This would be the first of many life skills he would acquire and perfect in his long illustrious life. His family soon moved to Rome, Georgia where he always spoke of the house on Spring St. and the memories he had there. It was also in Rome where he accepted the call of Christ that beckoned upon his heart. He was baptized and joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

When Charles was 17, his family migrated north joining his extended family members in Columbus, Ohio. From here, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Ft. Dix, New Jersey. He also enlisted in the Air Force Reserves working on it’s vessels. While in service, he was once stationed in Stuttgart, Germany and was able to travel throughout western Europe. He even played on the Army handball team and was recruited professionally by the German handball team to which he decided to return home to the states with his family instead.

After discharge from the service, Charles settled in Columbus, Ohio. At this time he had three children, Renae D. Pryor, Roxanna Pryor (Nolen), and Michael E. Pryor. He relocated from Columbus to Detroit, Michigan and found work in the burgeoning auto industry. In 1967, he started what would be a long career at the Budd Company. He started his work with Budd as an hourly employee on the assembly line in the Hub and Drum department. Due to his exemplary work ethic, he was transferred to the Quality Control Department in which he was eventually promoted to supervisor. He again was promoted and went on to various leadership roles in labor relations within the company. In 1971, he was transferred to Gary, Indiana to serve as a labor relations manager for the plant. It was here where he met his beloved wife of 46 years, Jacquelyn (nee Montgomery). They were joined in holy matrimony on June 15, 1974. From this union, they had 1 child, Charles Edward Pryor Jr, and a step-daughter, Ivy Dench. In Gary, Charles and his family served and worshipped at St. Timothy’s Baptist Church. When the Budd plant in Gary closed in 1983, he was transferred to the Philadelphia plant where he remained until his retirement in 2002.

In Philadelphia, Charles was a member of Refuge Evangelical Baptist Church, He continued to hone his career and support his family which he was devoted to. Upon retirement from Budd, he returned home to Columbus, Ohio to be closer to his family and joined Macedonia Baptist Church.

Charles is preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelyn M. Pryor; son, Michael E. Pryor; mother, Mary Lou Chaney(nee Pace); father, Robert M. Pryor; brothers Robert M. Pryor Jr, George Pryor, Walter Pryor respectively; and sister Elizabeth Diann Pryor. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Renae Pryor, and Roxanna(Johnny) Nolen both of Columbus, Ohio, step-daughter Ivy Dench, and son Charles E. Pryor Jr of Tyrone, Georgia; his beloved siblings Elsie McCall, Emma Neal, and brother Lawrence “Butch” Pryor of Columbus, Ohio; sister in law Sandra Tudos of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and brother in law Rev. Samuel (Karen) Montgomery of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also leaves to mourn 9 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

Public Visitation 9-10:00am Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave.

Interment at Dayton National Cemetery.