Mr. Charles Raymond Dennis

Charles Raymond Dennis, the son of the late Walter Evertt Dennis, Sr., and Helen Beatrice Dennis (née Jacobs), was born September 26, 1931, in Brooklyn, NY. He spent his early years in West Baltimore with his three siblings, the late Edward Earl Dennis, Walter Evertt Dennis, Jr., and Marilyn Dennis McDonald. Charles attended Douglas High School where he focused on learning carpentry. In addition, he was active in several sports which would continue throughout his life. At the age of 16, he played semi-pro football with a local team and was their youngest player and the teams’ quarterback. Upon graduating, he was unable to pursue his passion for carpentry because African Americans were not allowed into the Carpenters’ Union. Despite that constraint, he and his brothers were often called upon to build, repair, or remodel in family and friends homes. In 1954, he married the late Clementine Dennis (née Jones) and from that union they had three children, Duane Charles Dennis, Donna Dennis Adderly, and Daryl Craig Dennis. He was a father figure to his niece/daughter Yvette Renee Fisher and has seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Charles was an avid reader with an affinity for military history, and he always stressed the importance of education and reading to his children. He made it understood that his children were going to college to take advantage of all that a college education could provide—something that he didn’t have the opportunity to do. During the Koren conflict, Charles served his country in the United States Marines Corps from 1950-1953 and visited many countries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. After returning from military service, he worked as a truck driver, but in his leisure, he continued to be active in sports. He played softball for the Post Office League as a catcher. Charles worked for the US Postal Service from 1959 until his retirement in 1986. In 2023, he received a letter of recognition from the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for being a 50-year member. In 2009, Charles married Mary Dennis (née Price) and from that union he had eight stepchildren, David Bagley, Cynthia Gardner, Judith Gardner, Shelia Gardner, Mary Gardner, Wilma Gardner, Ty’alik Gardner, Shania Gardner, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He joined Brown Memorial Church in 2016 and was baptized in 2018. He regularly attended Sunday services until he became too ill to attend. He was cared for at home until February. He was called home on March 7, 2024, with his beloved wife Mary and his son Duane at his side along with several family members supporting his transition.

Tributes

Mr. Charles Raymond Dennis

September 26, 1931 - March 7, 2024