Service Announcements

Rafe Alexander Pride, Sr. “Sam” 100, passed peacefully on Friday, June 9, 2023. Services will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church 1421 Statesville Avenue Charlotte, NC  28206. Visitation will begin at noon with service following at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Beatties Ford Memorial Gardens.

Rafe A. Pride Sr. affectionately known as “Sam” was born February 11, 1923 in Chester SC to Eva Row and Elliot Pride. After moving to Charlotte, NC he met Mary Teresa Montgomery and married in November of 1946. To this union five children were born Barbara, Rafe Jr., Garry, Marie and Cleauary.
Rafe and his friends decided to enlist in the Army. He shared with his daughter Marie, “that he and his friends decided they needed to affiliate themselves with a church before they enlisted and went off to war”. Rafe joined Brandon Presbyterian Church which was in the Grenville community. Rafe enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. He took an overseas journey on the Queen Mary departing from New York November 3, 1944. He arrived in Glasgow, Scotland on November 10, 1944. Rafe was awarded the American Service Medal, 3 Bronze Star Medals, Good Conduct Medal and a WWII Victory Medal during his service. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Upon returning to the states Rafe began his 30 plus year career with Central Motor Lines Trucking Co. which later became Yellow Freight. He also worked part time with the US Postal Service. Rafe was a very active member of Brandon Presbyterian Church which later became C N Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church. He served over 20 years as their trusted treasurer. He participated with the Men’s Council. He was an Elder of the church and served on the Session. He attended the Presbytery of Charlotte meetings and the General Assembly. Being a part of the Pastor Nominating Committee he was very instrumental in the hiring of Rev. Jerry Cannon.
Rafe was an avid baseball fan cheering on the Atlanta Braves. The family took many trips to Atlanta as summer vacations to watch the Braves play. He was even able to attend the Braves last game at Turner Field in 2016. He also attended several Charlotte Knights games and even has a brick in his honor in front of Knights Stadium. At one of the Charlotte Knights game we were able to have him meet David Justice a former Atlanta Braves player.
After retiring Rafe volunteered with Loaves and Fishes. He enjoyed providing transportation for fellow church members and friends to grocery stores, doctor appointments and church services. He helped wherever he was needed.
Rafe was very attentive and caring during his wife’s illness. A few years after the passing of his wife he decided he no longer wanted to live alone and asked his children to find him an assisted living facility to reside in. Rafe was well loved in the communities he resided and was known for his contagious smile. He enjoyed the fellowship and comradely of the residents as well as the meals provided and the engaging activities. Rafe loved the Lord and prayed to reach the age of 100 which he did in February of this year. A birthday celebration was held at C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church in his honor. Church members, family and friends came out to wish him a happy birthday. Rafe smiled the entire time!
Mr. Rafe A. Pride Sr. better known as “Sam” will be truly missed. In addition to his parents Rafe was preceded in death by his wife Mary “Tess” Montgomery Pride, son Garry Lee Pride, sisters Virginia and Mattie Pride, brothers Robert Lee and Clayton Pride and Aunt Mattie Pride. He leaves to cherish his memory daughter Barbara Pride of Charlotte, son Rafe A Pride Jr. of Biloxi, Mississippi, daughter Marie P. Rodgers (Dan) of Charlotte and daughter Cleauary P. Jackson of Charlotte; granddaughters Teresa Pride of Memphis, TN., Whitney J. Dunn (Johnathan) of Indian Land, SC, Brittany A Jackson (Oscar) of Clover, SC, Danyetta R. Miller (Nicholas) of Belmont, NC, Raya Rodgers of Charlotte, grandson Jabarie Joseph of Biloxi, Mississippi; great granddaughter Ciara Manning of Murfreesboro, TN., great grandson Ricky Manning of Phoenix, AZ, great granddaughter Stone L. Jackson of Clover, SC, great grandson Chase B. Miller of Belmont, NC; great great granddaughter Marcelina Benton of Murfreesboro TN. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.