1st SGT (Retired) Charles L. Romans, 88, died Mon. July 4th at home in Valley, AL.
Mr. Romans was born Sunday, Nov. 12, 1922, in Groveland, Illinois, the son of Abraham Lincoln Romans and Lula Belle Lancaster. In 1943 Mr. Romans was drafted into the Medical Unit of the U.S. Army. He spent 23 years in the military including combat duty in England during WWII and a tour in Vietnam in 1966/67. Following his retirement at Ft. Benning, GA in 1968, Mr. Romans worked 8 years at Atlanta Christian College, recently renamed Point University, East Point, GA, and 23 years at Lake Aurora Christian Assembly in Lake Wales, Florida.
Mr. Romans and his wife, Mae, later lived in Albany, GA for 6 years with their daughter and family and recently moved with them to Valley, AL.
Mr. Romans was an active member of Christian Churches in Georgia and Florida, serving in positions of Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee and Deacon.
Mr. Romans will be remembered as an accomplished musician and craftsman with a wonderfully unique sense of humor. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who was respected, admired and loved by all.
Mr. Romans is the youngest child and preceded in death by 4 siblings and two sons, Charles L. Romans Jr. and LTC (Ret) Jay Romans.
Mr. Romans is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mae Romans, daughter Tonya Harris and her husband Buddy Harris of Valley, AL, daughters-in-law Diane Romans of Bryson City, Nancy Romans of Fayetteville, GA and Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
A memorial service for Mr. Romans will be officiated by Minister and son-in-law, Buddy Harris.
Friday, July 8th, 2011 at 5:00 pm (EST)
Visitation and reception for everyone will follow the service.
Friendship Christian Church
1101 California Road Valley, Al.
334-756-4821
Interment with full military honors will be held at the Ft. Benning Post Cemetery at a future date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Friendship Christian Church where a gift will be given to reflect Mr. Romans’ love of the Lord and music.
Julie Garland (friend) wrote at
2011-07-06 22:17:55I remember Mr. Charles from early on, from before I ever really knew him, but I knew him as the train man. I remember loving to ride the colorful lawnmower train, that he drove around,as a little girl out at Lake Aurora. I also loved riding it at our churches VBS and parades.
Later I remember serving hot dog dinners off of that same train. He was definately a willing servant and loved driving that train, and bringing joy to others.
As I grew older, I loved sitting with him and Mrs. Mae listening to all of his stories. He will be missed greatly by friends and family, but I have no doubt that he is cracking them all up in heaven.
Shay and Neville Blakemore wrote at
2011-07-06 23:01:24He will be missed by so many. A loving wonderful man, with a good sense of humor and a great love for the Lord.
long time friend wrote at
2011-07-07 05:49:06Mae, Tonya and Buddy,
I wish we could have seen each other more often, I wish I could be there Friday. 50 years our families have known each other...I am so happy that the Grahams and the Romans met and thankful for our friendship. We will miss your husband/dad but know that he is in a happier, peaceful place and no longer in pain.
Love,
Trudy (Graham) Bonerba Bob and Barb Johnson, friends wrote at
2011-07-07 09:00:38Mae, Tonya and Buddy, We loved talking to Charles and listening to plans he had for making money with Bob. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be missed by so many people.
Long time friend wrote at
2011-07-07 09:33:33Mae, Tonya,and Buddy, Some of my fondest memories are of your family. The only time I've ever been bitten by a dog was Lora, your german shepherd, after I hit Tonya. I learned at a young age never to hit girls and never again have, except my sisters.After dad died,while going through his things, we found a keyring in his bedside table that Charles had made many years ago. Good friends are never forgotten. We love you and you are forever in our prayers.
Tommy Graham Tony Sullivan (Friend) wrote at
2011-07-07 13:07:52Mae: I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember when I preached for a brief time in Columbus and had the privlige of being your preacher for a "short time." I knew Charles to be a wonderful example of a Christian. He was fun to be with and I always enjoyed time with both of you. I wish I had had more time with you. Jay loved you so much and talked about you all the time. When he and I roomed together in college he prayed for his father and talked about him as his hero.
After I had the privilge of meeting Charles, I knew why. He was a wonderful Christian man. May God bless you.
Apryl Cowper wrote at
2011-07-07 20:27:41Grandpa Charles will always be my funny kind GA Grandpa! I still remember after the first time I met Grandpa Charles and Grandma Mae at Lake Aurora she named a rabbit after me and said it was a great momma rabbit. Love you all! I've been praying all week! See you all friday I can't wait to give Grandma Mae a great big hug.
Your GA girl...Apryl Cowper Jim and Dani Tippins wrote at
2011-07-07 20:56:05Mrs. Mae my heart has been so blessed by your family and the love you and Charles poured into Tonya and Buddy and their children. I know that the love of your life has gone ahead of you. I suspect like he did all of your life together. Not waiting he charged into service for our country and then service to our Lord. I imagine that there were absences during your marriage that were forgotten with the celebration of your sweet reunion. I pray that you are comforted in his return to the man you knew, busily making preparations for your reunion. Hold tight to all of us and continue to share your beautiful wit and wisdom for a little while longer. We are in prayer for your sorrow that it will fade to wonderful joy as your remember a life well spent!~
Love Dani & Jim Tippins Brenda Mixon Pate wrote at
2011-07-07 21:44:57Mae, Tonya, Buddy, Chad, Amanda & Henry, Charles Romans was truly an example of a Christian man. My memory dates of him and Miss Mae dates back to the 70's when we went to Blue Grass Festivals When Buddy, Tonya and I were in the Church youth group together. He sold his wood craft while Buddy, Tonya and I made and sold Cotton Candy. Miss Mae was very busy making sure Mr. Charles was well taken care of. This has always been a Christ-centered family. I have fond memories as a teen, of Mr. Charles' sense of humor and love for life and family. He was a JOY! Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Romans are true examples of a Christian marriage.
Long time friend wrote at
2011-07-07 23:13:48The name "Charles Romans" brings many fond and warm memories. Charles was a bright spot at both ACC and LACC...I loved working with him at Women Retreats, camps; watching him make his woodwork, of which he was always making me something for my house or for gifts; and enjoyed the sweet fellowship of he and Mae and Buddy and Tonya. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, knowing it is truly a bitter/sweet time. I wish so much that I could be with you but will be there in thought and prayers. May God give you His sweet comfort and grace. Love to you all,
Phil and Cindy Koruschak Beverly Vernon, friend wrote at
2011-07-07 23:28:02Mae, My love and prayers to you in your loss. Jim and I always appreciated your husband and all of your family. We can look forward to a great reunion one day. Kelly Mitchell,
friend and neighbor wrote at
2011-07-08 08:24:09Miss Mae,
I always looked forward to our visits at your house with the boys. I remember when Kale was little, you would sit him in Charles' lap, and that always seemed to get him to grin a few times! Andon and Kale still have the wooden toy train that he made. I'm sending you lots of love and prayers during this time.
We love you, Miss Mae.~~
Kelly Mitchell and the boys Gordon Russell Army Buddie wrote at
2011-07-08 11:30:29Mrs. Romans, you may remember me, Gordon Russell, I served with Charlie 3rd Field Hospital,and at Kelley Hill, Maria and I send you our love and may God Bless.
Phyllis Gower Bornemann, family friend wrote at
2011-07-08 21:21:20Mae, There are so many memories of you and Charles in my life. I rejoice knowing that Charles last breath here was also his first breath in heaven but it still saddens me to not have him around.
Everywhere I look, I see Charles at Lake Aurora. From driving the train, to fixing field skis, to selling snowcones, to parking cars, to creating wood crafts, including over 500 tent pegs and napkin holders! I make sure the American flag is always in good shape and flying high as he would want on the flag pole that honors the both of you. While the memories flood back, my most favorite item is the heart shaped sign he made that says "Shhh! Kaitlyn sleeping" that still hangs in my office 21 years later. He showed his love in his hands and in his smile that I will remember forever. We love you Mae!
Phyllis, Steve, Kaitlyn and Derek Lila Evans, family friend wrote at
2011-07-13 10:21:58Dear Mae, I am sorry to hear of your loss. I do feel blessed to have known you both when you lived in Albany GA. I really enjoyed listening to your music. The humor Charles added to it always brought smiles to many faces. I loved the Butterbean song. Thank you for just being you and touching so many lives with your Christian love. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love, Lila Evans Ron and Lois Graham, friends wrote at
2011-07-17 21:19:03Mae and Tonya, We are so sorry to hear about Charles. Things I remember: helping Charles (and Mae) deliver newspapers very early in the morning for $1 a day (lots of money in the 60's); Charles showing me how to make and decorate leather goods and allowing me to use his tools any time I wanted; all the neat things he made from key chains to wood crafts (we still have the 2 roll toilet paper/magazine holder that he made. With 2 rolls there is no argument on which way the roll goes. Mae, remember the time you and Charles took me to the hospital because I had fallen with a horse and I didn't know who I was? Charles was a great person, he did alot for everyone and he did it without hesitation. He will be missed by many. Our love to your family at this time and always.
