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Charles Rouse Obituary
Charles Spurgeon Rouse, Jr.
November 4, 1945 - June 10, 2024
Raleigh, North Carolina - Charles, also known as CS Rouse, passed away June 10, 2024 just where and how he wanted. He was at home surrounded by family and nurses from Transitions LifeCare with Jimmy Buffett music playing in the background.
Charles was born in Raleigh at Rex Hospital on November 4, 1945 the second child to the late Charles Spurgeon Rouse, Sr and Mildred Esteen Matthews Rouse. The oldest Rouse child was his sister Doris. After CS came his sisters Ruth, Shirley, Mary, and Arlene. He is survived by his brother Joel Kenneth Rouse, sisters Jessie Ruth Rouse, Shirley Rouse Berthrong, and Joyce Arlene Rouse.
CS was a quiet child but a good listener. He was comfortable with silence. He hated drama among friends and family. Spending time with family was important to him. He used the time to model and protect, teach them to fish, swim, and body surf. CS also knew how to use his sibling's talent. He paid Shirley and Mary to teach him to dance so he could go to the prom with a girl.
Charles met the love of his life Susan Arrington Perry in high school. As soon as they were married on May 4,1968, they packed a car and moved to Memphis, Tennessee where Charles was stationed in the army. After his tour of duty was over, they moved back to Raleigh.
Charles graduated with the class of 1966 at Needham Broughton High School then headed to Durham Tech Community College to learn about mainframes. He began work as a computer operator at Cameron-Brown/First Union Mortgage Company. Even though he was a UNC Tarheel fan through and through, he accepted and continued his 30-year career with computers at North Carolina State University. His office on the Wolfpack campus was adorned with Carolina sports paraphernalia.
When back in Raleigh Charles and Susan started a family. Christopher Charles Rouse was born and three years later came the baby sister, Jennifer Marie Rouse. Charles and Susan being back among extended family changed all of our lives. Frequent family cookouts, vacations, and joint ventures began. The men played basketball or other games together on Sundays. The women bonded over conversations of life, ancestors, common social activities, and going to the beach. Their friendship became tighter when three sisters-in-laws became pregnant within a few months of each other.
The Perry side of the family decided to buy a fixer-upper in Surf City, NC and everyone became weekend fixers and builders. It was their favorite place to be. Charles could enjoy the solitude of fishing anytime he wanted and play basketball, tennis and even invent new beach games with the in-laws.
Decades later Charles became Papa to his son Chris' children Mason Rouse, Avery Rouse, and Jack Bristol. Jennifer brought grandchildren, too. Perry Gilliam and Peyton Gilliam joined Papa grandbabies who love to play games and cuddle with him. He became the favorite Uncle Chaws to the children of his siblings and in-laws. Sammy Perry, Justin Perry, Katherine Perry, Ashley Perry, Laura Ritchie and Matt Ritchie were cousins who wanted to be with Charles whenever they could. Although he didn't see them as often, there were 13 nieces and nephews on the Rouse side of the family. He loved nothing better than having the children around. He had a quick wit making everyone laugh. He enjoyed talking sports, politics or nothing at all. Just being there riding in his Ranger pick-up truck, watching sports, and listening to music was what mattered. He talked little, but always listened.
In the last three years, Charles' health began failing. His heart and kidneys were wearing out. His joints and muscles weakened. Family gathered once again.
After too many visits to doctors, hospitals, and a rehabilitation center, Charles wanted to go home and live out his life there. Reluctantly, the family made it happen with the help of Transitions LifeCare. Miraculously, he became better and more independent for a time. But soon it was no longer possible to for him to live alone. Family, friends, and Senior Helpers filled in. Transitions LifeCare, especially Lauren Crotty, became not only the nurse to Charles, but also the support to the family during this time.
Monday, June 10, 2024 family began to gather and sit with him as his body let him go. He passed in his sleep with the love of many by his side and Jimmy Buffet playing as he drifted away.
If you would like to honor the memory of Charles, please do so by donating to the non-profit hospice organization Transitions Life Care.
https://transitionslifecare.org/donate/.
November 4, 1945 - June 10, 2024
Raleigh, North Carolina - Charles, also known as CS Rouse, passed away June 10, 2024 just where and how he wanted. He was at home surrounded by family and nurses from Transitions LifeCare with Jimmy Buffett music playing in the background.
Charles was born in Raleigh at Rex Hospital on November 4, 1945 the second child to the late Charles Spurgeon Rouse, Sr and Mildred Esteen Matthews Rouse. The oldest Rouse child was his sister Doris. After CS came his sisters Ruth, Shirley, Mary, and Arlene. He is survived by his brother Joel Kenneth Rouse, sisters Jessie Ruth Rouse, Shirley Rouse Berthrong, and Joyce Arlene Rouse.
CS was a quiet child but a good listener. He was comfortable with silence. He hated drama among friends and family. Spending time with family was important to him. He used the time to model and protect, teach them to fish, swim, and body surf. CS also knew how to use his sibling's talent. He paid Shirley and Mary to teach him to dance so he could go to the prom with a girl.
Charles met the love of his life Susan Arrington Perry in high school. As soon as they were married on May 4,1968, they packed a car and moved to Memphis, Tennessee where Charles was stationed in the army. After his tour of duty was over, they moved back to Raleigh.
Charles graduated with the class of 1966 at Needham Broughton High School then headed to Durham Tech Community College to learn about mainframes. He began work as a computer operator at Cameron-Brown/First Union Mortgage Company. Even though he was a UNC Tarheel fan through and through, he accepted and continued his 30-year career with computers at North Carolina State University. His office on the Wolfpack campus was adorned with Carolina sports paraphernalia.
When back in Raleigh Charles and Susan started a family. Christopher Charles Rouse was born and three years later came the baby sister, Jennifer Marie Rouse. Charles and Susan being back among extended family changed all of our lives. Frequent family cookouts, vacations, and joint ventures began. The men played basketball or other games together on Sundays. The women bonded over conversations of life, ancestors, common social activities, and going to the beach. Their friendship became tighter when three sisters-in-laws became pregnant within a few months of each other.
The Perry side of the family decided to buy a fixer-upper in Surf City, NC and everyone became weekend fixers and builders. It was their favorite place to be. Charles could enjoy the solitude of fishing anytime he wanted and play basketball, tennis and even invent new beach games with the in-laws.
Decades later Charles became Papa to his son Chris' children Mason Rouse, Avery Rouse, and Jack Bristol. Jennifer brought grandchildren, too. Perry Gilliam and Peyton Gilliam joined Papa grandbabies who love to play games and cuddle with him. He became the favorite Uncle Chaws to the children of his siblings and in-laws. Sammy Perry, Justin Perry, Katherine Perry, Ashley Perry, Laura Ritchie and Matt Ritchie were cousins who wanted to be with Charles whenever they could. Although he didn't see them as often, there were 13 nieces and nephews on the Rouse side of the family. He loved nothing better than having the children around. He had a quick wit making everyone laugh. He enjoyed talking sports, politics or nothing at all. Just being there riding in his Ranger pick-up truck, watching sports, and listening to music was what mattered. He talked little, but always listened.
In the last three years, Charles' health began failing. His heart and kidneys were wearing out. His joints and muscles weakened. Family gathered once again.
After too many visits to doctors, hospitals, and a rehabilitation center, Charles wanted to go home and live out his life there. Reluctantly, the family made it happen with the help of Transitions LifeCare. Miraculously, he became better and more independent for a time. But soon it was no longer possible to for him to live alone. Family, friends, and Senior Helpers filled in. Transitions LifeCare, especially Lauren Crotty, became not only the nurse to Charles, but also the support to the family during this time.
Monday, June 10, 2024 family began to gather and sit with him as his body let him go. He passed in his sleep with the love of many by his side and Jimmy Buffet playing as he drifted away.
If you would like to honor the memory of Charles, please do so by donating to the non-profit hospice organization Transitions Life Care.
https://transitionslifecare.org/donate/.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The News & Observer on Jun. 23, 2024.
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