Dr. Charles Lee Ross Jr.

Dr. Charles L. Ross, Jr. was born May 11, 1940, in Miami, Florida, to Syble Sweeting and Charles Lee Ross, Sr. He attended Miami Northwestern High School, where he was a talented musician and track athlete playing the trumpet in the high school band. Charles was affectionately called “Silver” by track teammates and referred to as “Junior” by his family,

As a young man, Charles worked in his father’s Overtown business, the Economy Shoe Repair Shop, where he learned to work with his hands and developed a lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship. He earned a scholarship to Florida A&M University to join the renowned Marching 100 Band, but when his trumpet went missing—a turn of fate he often attributed to his parents’ hopes for a different future—he pivoted toward the sciences. He went on to earn a degree in biology and began his career as a phlebotomist before attending the Howard University College of Dentistry.

While at Howard, Charles met the love of his life, Lydia, who he negotiated into his dental chair during student dental clinic. The two married in the campus chapel the day after his dental school graduation and her graduation from Howard’s College of Pharmacy. After returning to Florida, they built both a life and a legacy together, later welcoming their daughter Carin Liana and son Charles Loren.

A master of his profession, Dr. Ross practiced dentistry for more than 52 years. His gentle precision, professionalism, and deep care for his patients defined his practice. Many called him "the painless dentist." Beyond the office, he served the dental community as an active leader—holding offices in multiple local, regional, and national dental organizations. He was appointed by the Governor of Florida as a State Dental Examiner and served as a Regional Examiner for the Northeast Regional Board of Dentistry. Deeply committed to service, he also volunteered his expertise to provide dental care to underserved communities in South Florida and on mission trips throughout the Caribbean. Dr. Ross also served as team doctor for the Southridge Highschool Varsity Football team and was an attending physician at Miami Childrens' Hospital and a clinical professor at the University of Miami.

As a lifelong learner, Charles, at the age of 70 decided to go back to school and earn a dual degree with a master’s in healthcare administration and master’s in business administration from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Ross was known for his quiet strength, sharp wit, and a smile that could light up a room. A Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (Iota Pi Lambda), he carried himself with dignity, humility, and grace. Outside of dentistry, he was an avid deep-sea fisherman who often said his dream home was one where he could “open the window and throw a fishing pole out to catch a fish.” In his retirement, he lived that dream by spending his sunrises and sunsets near the water and cherishing time with his children and five beloved grandchildren.

Dr. Ross is now reunited in Heaven with his devoted wife of 40 years, Lydia. He is pre-deceased by his parents and brother, Roland. He is survived by his sisters Rosa Nesbitt (the late Joel Nesbitt) and Sylvia Hadley; sisters-in-law Karen Greene and Stephanie Moore; nieces and nephews Yolanda, Wesley Sr., Wesley Jr., Jordan Mitchell, Asha and Brad Henderson, Kamilah Hadley, John Anthony (DeMaris) and Darrell Greene; daughter Carin (Donnie Johnson), and their twins Hampton and Lydia; son Charles Loren (Stacey), and their children Palmer, Charlee, his namesake and Shiloh, and a host of cherished family and friends. Special acknowledgement and gratitude are given by the family for Rosa Jaco, Dr. Ross' caregiver, who lovingly cared for him in the last few months of his life.

A memorial service will be held to honor Dr. Ross' life and legacy on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 11am at St. Paul AME Church, 1866 NW 51st Terrace, Miami, FL 33142.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lydia’s Legacy Healthcare Education Endowment, a scholarship fund supporting students in financial need who choose to pursue healthcare careers:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/lydias-legacy-healthcare-endowment