CHARLES E. ORGAIN

Feb. 28, 1917 - April 10, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Mr. Charles E. Orgain, 91, who resided on North Sadie Street, departed this life at 2:45 a.m. Thursday, April 10, in the Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center. On February 28, 1917, in Clarksville, Tennessee, he was born to the union of the late Zuba and Eva Mae (Parker) Orgain. He came to South Bend in January 1923. Charles attended Grace A.M.E. Zion Church and united with Grace in 1935. He served as president of the Junior Trustee Board, sang in the Junior Choir, served as Supt. of the Sunday School, and had taught Sunday School and Bible classes for many years.

Mr. Orgain graduated from Central High School, and had attended Columbia College, Chicago, IL.

Mr. Orgain was the first Afro-American custodian hired by the South Bend Community School Corporation, from 1965 to 1970. Mr. Orgain retired from the Urban League Whitney M. Young Street Academy as the director of extra-curricular activities. Charles served in the United States Army from Sept. 1942 to January 1946, and was honorably discharged. In October 1981 Mr. Orgain received the Urban League Annual Staff Award Plaque for outstanding performance on behalf of the W.I.C. Project.

Those left to cherish his memory include a daughter, Patricia Jo Taylor; two grandchildren, Orlando Charles Edwards and Antore Marquis Taylor; great-grandchildren; friends, John Walker and family, and Paul Goins; many cousins; caregiver, Neil F. Shambry, and special friend, Mae Haynes.

Funeral services for Mr. Orgain will be held at noon Tuesday, April 15, in Grace A.M.E. Zion Church. Interment will follow at South Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to the services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary. Messages of condolence may be e-mailed to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net, attn.: Orgain family.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 13, 2008.

02/18/2023 EJS