Charles Albert Phelps

Charles Phelps, 82, of Germantown, MD, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2024, at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC after a brief illness.

Charles was born in 1942 to Dewitt Phelps and Mary Lee Turner Phelps in Holden, WV. After graduating from East Bank High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bluefield State College, a historically Black College (HBCU) in Bluefield, WV. After graduation, he landed his first job as a Social Studies teacher and basketball coach at Bramwell High School where he led the Bramwell "Millionaires" to two state basketball championships. In 1965, he wed Genevieve Smith, going on to have one daughter, Candace Arlene. He later completed a Master of Science in administration from West Virginia University.

Charles was determined and dedicated to providing for his family and giving them the life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else, something he often mentioned. He took great pride in his daughter Candace and his grandson Marcus, and always tried his best to support them. Anyone who knew Charles knew that he was a loving father and husband.

Charles was also passionate about his work and held many jobs throughout his lifetime, from being a paperboy to working as a waiter and a factory worker, to leading as the Director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse unit at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He also served as Manager and Acting Director at the State of Minnesota Department of Employee Relations (DOER) and finally as Director at the Levin College of Urban Studies at Cleveland State University, where he retired. Charles traveled widely in the US and internationally, visiting Ghana, Egypt, Serbia, and Croatia to share his knowledge and experience with leaders. But his fondest travels were the annual trips with his father to visit relatives in Columbia, Mississippi, his father's birthplace.

He was also a proud Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. member.

Charles was predeceased by his parents, Dewitt and Mary Lee, sisters Maxine, Arlene, and Addie, and brothers Fredrick, John, Carl, and Eugene. He is survived by his younger brother, Curtis of Clovis, CA, and daughter, Candace, grandson, Marcus, wife, Genevieve, of Germantown, MD and daughter, Cheryl Watkins of Bowie, MD, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

There will be a Memorial/Celebration of Life Service, on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 608 N. Horners Lane, Rockville, MD 20850. The family requests that all flowers and notes be sent to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.  

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