Columbus Bingham

COLUMBUS BINGHAM was born on June 23, 1937 in Wabbaseka, Arkansas. He was the sixth of twelve children born to the union of the late Oliver Bingham, Sr. and the late Emma Jones-Bingham. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by the late Rev. Whitehead of the Second Baptist Church. Columbus received his formal education in the public school system in Arkansas and graduated from Wabbaseka High School.

In 1956, Columbus met the love of his life, Edna Barnett, on the cotton fields in Little Rock, Arkansas. As he told the story - she wasn’t feeling well, so he picked enough cotton that day to meet not only his quota, but hers too. As they say, the rest was history, and two years later they married in 1958. Soon after marriage, they both migrated to Bakersfield, CA in search of a better life for themselves and their fast-growing family. Together through this union they welcomed five children to their union: Brenda, Wanda, Janet, Arnetha, and Columbus Jr. They attended Shiloh COGIC, under the leadership of Elder Loftus.

In 1973, the family relocated to San Diego, CA where he became well-known for his work ethic and was one of the first black contractors to work on the first indoor mall built in San Diego County. He started his own business, CB & Son Construction, and retired from the Great Western Drywall Company. Through his company he employed hundreds of family members and friends who were seeking employment. Many continue to thank him for giving them a chance to get back up on their feet. He operated the company, still working on construction projects, up until the time he passed.

He loved to spend his time with his family talking about memories, old and new. He would always tell us stories about our family history, our strength, and encourage us to always put family first and stick together through the good and the bad, thick and thin.

Columbus was an active member in Mt. Olive Church of God In Christ and served as the head of the Deacon Board. During his years of membership, he was actively involved in several ministries including the trustee board and serving the community through the food pantry.

He was our hero, our father, our brother, our grandfather, our uncle, our mentor, and most of all our friend.

Early Friday morning, August 21, 2020 God called home His hard-working faithful servant. Columbus leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife Edna, four daughters, Brenda Jones (Robert), Wanda Bingham, Janet Wilson, Arnetha Turner (Grant), one son Columbus Bingham Jr., grandchildren Latoya White (Jason), Tinesia Conwright, Shayla Wilson, Farrary Wilson, Janae Bingham, Darrell Jones, Brittany Turner, Taylor Turner, Jameel Bingham, Columbus Bingham IV, Alexis Mitchell, Brittany Haley, Courtney Williams, Ashley Williams, Branisha Jones, Ciara Jones, Rocky Jones,Tatiana Jones, Malik Jones, Malika Jones, Derricka Jones, Kenny Jones, Malachi Jones, Christopher Jones, Dorisha Jones, great-grand children Jaylin White, Jayla White, Madison Black, Kaliah Bingham, Kamarra Jones, Ace Callandrer, Amari Jones, Noelle Schasa, Julani Roux, A’nina Morris, Allen & Haley Caldwell.

He was also survived by his brother Roosevelt Bingham and sister Lucille Thomas, brother-in-law Parker Sabir, Sister-In-Law Ramona Bingham, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Bingham, Sr. and Emma Jones-Bingham, five brothers Oliver “Joe” Bingham, Elisha Bingham, Cornelious “Jimbo” Bingham, Alonzo Bingham, Harrison Bingham, five sisters: Viola Bingham-Woolfolk(Elloise), Leola Bingham-Cole (James), Irene Sabir, Rosie Peyton, grandson Columbus Bingham III, and Son-in-law Shay Alton Wilson.

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