Whenever former Congressman Charles B. Rangel talked about his beloved wife, Alma, he talked about the Savoy Ballroom where they met. That meeting occurred in the mid-to-late 1950s when she was Alma Carter, a social worker, and he was a decorated veteran of the Korean War. They cruised across the floor with the same assurance and movements that characterized their long relationship. He recalled their loving partnership in a statement, announcing that she had passed on September 16.
“To those who had the pleasure of knowing my beautiful wife, Alma, let me take this time to thank you for sharing your condolences and sympathy for our family’s loss this week,” he wrote. “We have been so fortunate to enjoy Alma’s love, affection, and support over these many, many years that we can only thank God for having her with us for so long. On behalf of my children, Steven and Alicia, and my family, let me sincerely thank all of you for your words of support during this time of our loss. Your thoughts are sincerely and deeply appreciated.”
Moreover, he added, “I have received my share of accolades for spending half my life in public service, but without Alma beside me and behind me, I would not have been able to achieve all that I did. Her partnership was indispensable. No Alma, no Charlie.”
Among the first to extend their condolences were her husband’s colleagues and associates at City College, where he is the statesman-in-residence. “Mrs. Rangel was passionate, socially conscious, and driven in all her endeavors. She was a woman of great vision whose long meritorious service included founder and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses; president and CEO of the Ralph J. Rangel Foundation, which provides scholarships to students; and vice chair of the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens’ board of directors. Her hard work in the latter position resulted in the construction of the Alma Rangel Gardens, an 89-unit apartment building that provides housing and support services for low, and middle-income seniors in Harlem. Mrs. Rangel will be fondly remembered for her strong commitment to her family, and community, and as an inspiration to many,” the statement read.
In 1964, a year after Charles launched his political career under the stewardship of J. Raymond Jones, the “Harlem Fox,” the couple was married. And three years later, after Charles won election to the New York State Assembly, she began to gather a better notion of what it meant to be the wife of a politician. An even deeper understanding of their companionship arrived in 1970 when Charles defeated Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. for Harlem’s congressional seat. Setting up residence in the nation’s capital was no easy task. In his autobiography “And I Haven’t Had a Bad Day Since,” Charles confessed that he had no particular vision for the family, and that “Alma would supply the vision.”
When they found a dilapidated house on Colorado Avenue in the so-called “Gold Coast” section of the city, Alma immediately went to work to get it in shape. “Alma converted the house into a magnificent mansion,” Charles recalled.
A raft of condolences was delivered to the press about Alma, including this one from a close associate: “I will miss my dear CBC Spouse sister of 53 years. She was a productive chair of our sister group leaving those of us who are still here with wonderful memories. I will miss our phone chats and her sincere wishes for me to visit her in New York. May she rest peacefully, I sorely will miss her, affectionately Leola ‘Roscoe’ Dellums.”
A memorial service for Alma E. Rangel is set for 10 a.m., Oct. 19, 2024, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, located at 219 West 132nd Street in Manhattan.
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