How do you contain 97 years of life to a few paragraphs? There's not a template or guide that seems adequate to tell the story of Jack Rumph, who was himself a master storyteller. Jack was a faithful, loving husband, and a wonderful, generous father and grandfather. He had many other roles as loving son and brother, and kind and devoted friend.
Jack was born on November 24, 1923 to Charles Thomas and Eliza Jaques Rumph on a cotton farm in Pregnall, SC, Dorchester County, near St. George. He was the youngest and last surviving child of six brothers and two sisters, the oldest sibling being born in 1894. He stayed on the farm helping his family until his father's death in 1943.
At this point he joined the US Navy in June of 1944 to serve his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was called back during the Korean Conflict in September 1950.
Jack moved to Charlotte after his first Naval stent in 1946, and worked with his brother as a mechanic in Mint Hill. They later worked together in the early days of Nascar traveling up and down the East Coast going to races keeping the cars running.
For a few years, Jack sold insurance for Home Security, and during this time, met Willie Mae Bullard. They made a date on his birthday, November 24, 1953, for the next week on her birthday, December 1, 1953. They were married on Easter Sunday following the church service at Porter Swamp Baptist Church in Cerro Gordo, NC, on April 10, 1955.
Jack's longest career was with the US Postal Service, Eastway Branch, from 1957 to 1988. Jack walked his route daily in the Sheffield Park neighborhood, and nearby business area on Independence Boulevard.
Perhaps Jack's longest area of service and devotion was to his church, Hickory Grove Baptist. He and his wife joined in 1956, where he faithfully served as deacon for many years. He and Willie Mae chaperoned many youth trips while his daughters were involved in the youth program, and was the "official" bus mechanic for their many trips. He has been a member of the Friendly Bread Breakers Sunday School class which he loved, and found a great source of community and friendship.
Jack is survived by his loving wife, Willie Mae Bullard Rumph, daughters, Amy Rumph Pace (husband, Matthew), and Mona Rumph Addington (husband, Doug), grandsons, Charles Jackson Pace (wife Sarah), and Daniel J Addington (wife Hannah Yasmeen), nephew, Charles Wesley Rumph, Jr. (wife Frances), and niece, Anna Rumph Davis.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 7200 East W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28215.
Condolences may be offered online at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.
