Mr. Charles Edward Summers Sr.

Charles Edward Summers Sr. was born April 3, 1945 in Nashville, Tennessee and was the first of six children, born to William Buford Summers, Sr. (deceased) and Frances Aliene Hall Summers (deceased). Charles was educated in the Nashville Davidson County Public School system and graduated from Cameron High School in 1962. In 1963, Charles was united in holy matrimony to Carolyne Morrow, and to this union three children were born (Ponzetta, Charles Jr. (Mickey) and Quincy (Silk). After high school, Charles enlisted in the armed service and served his country in the United States Air Force until he was honorably discharged in 1966. He later obtained his certification in Data Processing from Watkins Institute in Nashville, Tennessee in 1966. Shortly thereafter, in 1967 he moved to Detroit, MI and immediately gained employment at Chrysler Corporation’s Sterling Stamping Plant in Sterling Heights, MI, working in large press production. During his 44 years of employment at Chrysler, he held several positions such as Clerk, Union Stewart and Shipping Coordinator before his retirement in 2008. Charles divorced and later remarried in holy matrimony, Rose Fields in 2001, of this union one child was born (Tomika). Because Charles was not one to sit around and relax after so many years of working, he became active in his community by becoming a member of the City of Detroit Radio Patrol. He was not content with his role as a member, so he became President of his chapter (Berg-Lahser) from 2012-2025, where he utilized his supervisory skills. He later obtained a job working as Security for City Shield, where he remained until he could no longer work due to illness. In his spare time, Charles loved fishing, gardening, playing the guitar, listening to Blues and Gospel music, debating politics/current events, poetically waxing on discussions of religion and of course he loved to get dressed up in his finest clothes and jewelry and he loved keeping his Jeep immaculate. Charles was a social butterfly who never met a stranger that he could not have a conversation with. His biggest joy was spending quality time with his friends and family, especially his grandkids as he loved being a grandfather. Charles was private and did not want people to worry about him, therefore many people did not know he was ill as he never complained. He soldiered on, however after several years of fighting Lung Cancer, Charles Edward Summers departed this life early Sunday morning on July 27, 2025, in Southfield, MI at Evergreen Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was preceded in death by his parents: William Buford and Frances Summers, sisters: Gwendolyn Pasipanodya, Brenda Summers, Shelia Summers and brother Leonard Summers as well as a stepdaughter Sharmel Brown, and granddaughter Kimora Waugh. Charles leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife of over 20 years, Rose Summers, two daughters: Ponzetta (Stacy) Waugh, Tomika (Alvin) Ward Jr., two sons: Charles Edward (Sarah) Summers Jr., Quincy (Sharon) Summers, a brother William Buford (Hina) Summers Jr., grandchildren: Meiyosha (Chris) Dobbins, Donovan Summers, Quintona Summers, Alvin “Trey” Ward III, Kyndal Ward; four great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Mr. Charles Edward Summers Sr.

April 3, 1945 - July 27, 2025