Charles Luther Ransom's Obituary
Charles Luther Ransom, 91, of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at his residence. He was born on December 25, 1932, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Aurelius and Susie Ransom. In 1936, when Charles was only 4 years old, his father passed away. Because of this, he was forced to split time between Madison, Wisconsin with his mother and Chattanooga, Tennessee with his grandparents. At the age of 12 he began living in Chattanooga full time. Charles graduated from Howard High School in 1950. He was interested in enlisting in the armed services to fight in the Korean War, but questioned whether it was appropriate for Christians to fight. When he found no clear answer from respected religious authorities he joined the United States Air Force, but in a non-combative role, and began basic training in 1951. That same year he moved to New York two weeks before being deployed to Germany to marry his high school sweetheart, Juanita Taylor. She would eventually become the mother of his four children. In January 1953, he was deployed to France and in December he returned home to the United States. In 1955, he was honorably discharged and returned to his family in New York. While in the military, Charles’ search for God and the answers to his spiritual questions led to him studying with Catholics, Mormons, and a few other denominations. Nevertheless, he was not satisfied with what he learned. However, in 1956, one of the most pivotal moments in Charles' life was when he began studying the Bible with his mother-in-law Lillie Bearden, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was able to answer his spiritual questions to his satisfaction directly from the Bible. After briefly studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses, he was baptized the same year, 5 days before the birth of his first daughter Ava. In 1966, Charles and Juanita along with their four children Ava, Margo, Aurelia, and Aurelius moved back to Chattanooga, Tennessee to be near his sick grandfather. At this time, he began working for Combustion Engineering and continued his career there for 31 years until his retirement in 1997. Sadly, in 1988 Juanita passed away after a short battle with illness. Later, Charles married Juel, and they spent over 30 years of marriage together. There are many ways to describe Charles Ransom for those of us who had the privilege to know him, over his 91 years of life. But we can all agree he was a zealous preacher of God's name. In fact, one of his favorite bible scriptures was Psalms 83:18, which states, "May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth." This verse resonated deeply within Charles, affirming his faith and commitment to sharing the name of Jehovah with others. Throughout his life, Charles was dedicated to his kingdom ministry, helping many come to know Jehovah God. He spent countless hours engaging in the door-to-door ministry, conducting Bible studies, and keeping busy with congregation activities. He worked tirelessly to spread the message of God's Kingdom. His passion for teaching and guiding others were evident by the numerous individuals he helped bring into the truth. Charles found great comfort in scriptures such as Isaiah 1:18, which reads, "Come, now, let us set matters straight between us,’ says Jehovah. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson cloth, they will become like wool." This message of Jehovah's loyal love, true forgiveness, and the hope it brings was a focal point Charles kept at the front of his mind until his passing. The promise of salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ was a cornerstone of Charles' hope and a motivation in his ministry. He often reflected on the many blessings he had received and expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve Jehovah and help others find the same peace and joy he had discovered. Charles was preceded in death by his former wife, Juanita Ransom; son-in-law, Silas Passmore Jr.; and grandson, Landrin Passmore. He is survived by his wife, Juel Ransom; and four children, daughter, Ava (David) Dupree of Atlanta, GA; daughter, Margo (Cory) Hester of Atlanta, GA; daughter, Aurelia Passmore of Chattanooga; son, Aurelius (Gail) Ransom of San Luis Obispo, CA; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; several nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends. Charles Luther Ransom leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and dedication to his God Jehovah. His life is a testament to the transformative power of Jehovah's love and holy spirit. While he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and congregation, his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him; and his spiritual contributions will continue to inspire and guide those he touched. Charles often shared Revelation 21:4, "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." With that in mind let us hold onto the hope and promise of a future where we will be reunited with our loved ones in a world free of pain, sorrow, and the last enemy death. A memorial service will be Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 5 p.m. in the chapel of Taylor Funeral Home.
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