- Date Of Birth: December 12, 1952
- Date Of Death: August 11, 2014
- State: Alabama
Ross Edward “Bo” Mangrum did not slumber. He began this life on Friday, December 12, 1952, in Decatur, Alabama. He was the twelfth child and the seventh son born to Mrs. Bessie Odell Mangrum. She preceded him in death. He has been affectionately called ‘Bo’ since he was a toddler with bowed legs. Bo began his early education at Cherry Street Elementary School under the leadership of Mr. William England, Principal. His first grade teacher was the beloved and ever so dear to our hearts, Mrs. Etta Freeman. Bo was a happy and playful little boy and ready to have fun everyday! Ma Dear, as we fondly called our mother, decided that “Ross Edward” as she lovingly called him, would repeat the third grade because he was not showing her he had learned enough to be promoted to the fourth grade. What a surprise that was to him! Now, he would have his twin sisters, Thisia and Patricia, in the same grade with him! The three Mangrum children, Bo, Pat and Thisia, continued their education at Lakeside High School from 1966-1969. At Lakeside High School, Bo pursued a busy social and academic life. He studied Industrial Arts under Mr. Harvey Jordan. He played football under Coach Conridge Holloway and basketball under Coach Lorenzo Jackson. He also participated in many school activities. At Lakeside, he met some of his lifelong friends, John Pickett, Larry Pride and Cathy Garth to name a few. After the closing of our beloved and historical Lakeside High School in 1969, Bo continued his education at Decatur High School. Ross was one of the ‘trailblazers for equality and social justice during the turbulent times of the desegregation of Decatur City Schools. Although he was soft-spoken, he was firm when he stood up for our rights to be authentic in our identity as African American students on the frontline of school integration. Yes, he was suspended from school for wearing his ‘Banlon knit shirt’ outside (not tucked in his pants) and for wearing his African daishiki (shirt). But, he was not ever disrespectful or rude to anyone.
Ross was Ma Dear’s first son to graduate from high school. He shared this accomplishment with his twin sisters who caught up with him in the third grade! Getting an education was important to our mother and that day, May 30, 1972, was so special for her as she happily witnessed her son receive his high school diploma. After graduation, Ross relocated to the East Coast, arriving first in Haverhill, Massachusetts where his elder sister, Kalister Green-Byrd welcomed him. Later, he moved to the Bronx, New York where he was employed as a messenger in the financial district. He also met his future wife, Sandra Miller. He loved his family (helping to raise Nyrese) and was a devoted hands-on father to his only child, Ebony, taking time to teach her at home in preparation for entering school. Ebony was the delight of his heart. He also taught his two grandsons, Raheem and Mikel. Ross lived for many years in Mount Vernon, New York where he was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Ross, along with his best friend Jimmy Bryant, conducted AA meetings to help others suffering with the disease of alcoholism.
In 2001, Ross, Sandra and their daughter Ebony, relocated to Edgewood, Maryland. Ross had plans to enroll in the program at Hartford Community College to become a certified substance abuse counselor but, he answered a higher calling on Monday evening, August 11, 2014. Ross fully embraced the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference – Reinhold Niebuhr
We will cherish our personal memories of Ross ‘Bo’ and we believe we shall see him again: Sandra Miller, wife; Ebony Miller, daughter; Willie Miller, step-son; Raheem and Mokel Stokes, grandsons; Nyrese Miller, granddaughter. Three brothers: Eldridge L. Mangrum, Ret. USAF, Aurora, CO, Y.Z. Mangrum, Jr., Decatur, AL, and Reuben Alexander Mangrum, Haverhill, MA. Five sisters: Kalister Green-Byrd, Haverhill, MA; Janet Cato, Tuscumbia, AL, Mattie Mangrum, Bronx, NY, Thisia (Robert) Kelly, Montgomery, AL, and Patricia Wynn, Montgomery, AL. Nieces: Wanda Pendelton, Bergenfield, NJ, Judy Renee (Elliott) Garrett, Valerie Gaye Bryant, Sharon Marshbank, all of Aurora, CO, Kimberly Green, Haverhill, MA. Teresa Mangrum, Decatur, AL, Adrianne Mangrum-Robinson, Cape Coral, FL Jangrumetta (Cedrick) Ruthledge, Birmingham, AL, Janine Shine-Boards, Indianapolis, IN, Krystal Shine, Tuscumbia, AL, Letishia Kelly, Harvest, AL, Latania Kelly and Latrina Kelly, both of Montgomery, AL. Kalister (Krispin) Banks and Victoria Wynn, both of Decatur, AL. Nephews: Anthony Pendelton, Los Angeles, CA, Marshall (Rose) Pendelton , Columbia, SC, Toney (Deborah) Pendelton, Avenel, NJ, Daryle (Miriam) Pendelton, Reston, VA, Joseph Green, Jr. Haverhill, MA, Eldridge Mangrum, Jr., Aurora, CO, Ricky (Gwen) Mangrum, Detroit, MI, Emory Mangrum, and Victor Stephon Mangrum, both of Decatur, AL, Erik (Amy)Mangrum, Cape Coral, FL, Jeffrey (Lisa) Shine and Marcus Shine, both of Huntsville, AL, Brian (Pamela) Shine, Clarksville, TN, Shawney Wynn, II and John Wynn, both of Decatur, AL, Mr. Ralph Taylor, New York, NY, a devoted father-figure and loyal friend to this family. Ross’s Mount Vernon loving circle of friends include: Mr. Levi & Sophia Fleming, Jimmy Bryant, Mrs. Louise Walker Brown, Ruth Best, Barbara O. and the AA membership at the Macedonia Center. Bo’s family of origin is profoundly grateful to: Dr. Ankrom, Paula, Martha, Maria, Sandra, Yvon, Victoria, Chaplain Jonathan, Roberto, and the entire staff and volunteers at the beautiful Gilchrist Hospice Care Center, Towson, Maryland for your most gracious, compassionate and competent care of our beloved brother and favorite uncle. You gave of yourselves daily. You understood and responded to the unspoken needs of Bo as well as his family. Bo knew he was in a wonderfully serene and comforting place and so did we.
