Dwayne Randolph-Bey's Obituary
“To everything there is a season” ….
“A Time to be Born”
Dwayne Deniel Randolph was born on March 14, 1973, at Muhlenberg Hospital, Plainfield NJ,
to his parents Geraldine and Everette Randolph. He entered quietly into this world at 4:35pm
weighing in at an even eight pounds. We say quietly because the doctor had to spank his
bottom just to get him to cry…but that was a big mistake because for the next 6-7 months all he
wanted to do was cry. His mother would check him to ensure he was fed and dry, and feeling
alright, yet every time she would lay him down all he would do was cry to be picked up and held
as he was certainly spoiled and constantly held by his adoring Grandmothers Minnie and Rose
and a plethora of aunties.
“A Time to Gather Together; A Time to Embrace”
Two years later Ejay (Everette Jerone) came along. Dwayne was very protective of his little
brother, and he was constantly trying to hold him and pick him up, feed him from the bottle, even
help bath him and put him in his swing. As Ejay began to grow somewhere around the 11 th
month mark, he was so used to Dwayne letting him have his way that anytime he did not get his
way he would pick up something and crack Dwayne upside the skull. But Dwayne would never
hit him back. Then two years later came Robert Jermaine was born. Dwayne soon discovered
little brother loved to bang and he would help him assemble mom’s pots and pans with a
wooden spoon for a drum session. And again, two years later came Lenesha Evette. Dwayne
was an especially proud big brother of his little sister, and he treated her like she was a doll
(after all she was). He would try and do her hair and stop her from acting like one of the boys
but what could he do she was just a little girl in her three brothers’ worlds. Dwayne certainly
enjoyed his role as “Big Brother” and played it to the max, he bossed them around and made
sure they did what mom and dad said. However, he would always steal away to his room for
alone quiet time where we would hear one extreme or another R&B singer Anita Baker, or the
fantastic gospel groups; the Winans Family or Commissioned. Although he loved music, he,
unlike his siblings, took the academic path rather than the big stage and music path.
“A Time to Plant”
Dwayne was curious and intelligent from a young age, and he was always asking questions and
open to new possibilities… as a matter-of-fact Dwayne could certainly be called a philomath- a
lover of learning and studying. During his elementary, and high school years the teachers would
often say- “he needs more than we seem to be providing; he does his work perfectly and
becomes bored because he is not challenged.” His pursuit of academic excellence led to him
proudly graduate the acclaimed Essex Catholic Boys High School whose teachings helped
guide his principles of life. He not only excelled at academics at Essex Catholic, but he was also
the star starting linebacker for their football team. Later, Mom wanted a Morehouse man, but
Dwayne wanted to stay in New Jersey and opted for Rutgers University. He later went on and
graduated New York University with a degree in history and then attended New York University
Law School. He was always studying a new topic or taking a new course and furthered his
quest for knowledge as a lifelong member of the Rosicrucian Order (AMORC), as Special
Advisor & Counsel Member on the Clock of Destiny of the College of the Great Seal, and as an
Egyptian Master Mason of the Rite of Memphis-Misraim. Having established four separate,
successful businesses throughout his short life, Dwayne had an entrepreneur spirit always with
an eye on new, and sometimes unique, investments which could range from real estate to
personal consultations. He recently obtained his boating license so he could ride the waves off
the coast of New Jersey. He was a life-long Boston Celtics basketball fan and his other
passions included gardening and playing the clarinet.
“A Time to Love”
Dwayne met his wife Christina in 1997. They did not immediately connect but were friends right
from the beginning. They had common interests in music, movies, learning new things, travel,
and the finer things in life. In 1999 they began spending more and more time together before
realizing, “This is it.” Dwayne said he was hit with the “love bug”. From that point on they tried
to do everything together. Even if they were apart, they were known to be on the phone
together, which back then could be a lot more costly than these days! On the anniversary of
their first year “together”, they happened to be apart in different states. Dwayne did not let that
stop him from acknowledging the moment. He had 12 dozen (144 in total!) roses delivered to
Christina that day.
Dwayne & Christina shared eighteen years as a devoted couple before joining in Holy
Matrimony. Dwayne, always full of surprises for Christina, proposed to her just 6 days before
their 18th anniversary. But that was not the end of the surprises. In fact, he had already made
the plans for the wedding to be held in six days on the beach at sunrise in Cape May, NJ. He
had remembered her dream of getting married on a beach. All Christina needed to do was get
her dress - everything else was taken care of. After their wedding, Dwayne took Christina back
to Cape May every year so they could watch the sun rise on their wedding anniversary. It was
also there where they learned their love of jet skiing and riding speed boats around the Atlantic
Ocean. Dwayne put Christina first always - he strove to give her everything she wanted - and
he succeeded!
“A Time to Die”
After a brief home illness Dwayne was quietly taken from us just as he was quietly delivered to
us. On Saturday, September 2, 2023, God in His infinite wisdom called from among us a
beloved husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend…Dwayne is
preceded in death by his fraternal Grandparents Rosetta (Randolph) Williams and Edward
Randolph and his maternal grandfather Major Gaffney Jr., we do bow in humble submission to
God’s will and God’s way.
“A time to Weep”
But we sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. Dwayne will be missed by many and
forever cherished by the love of his life his wife and soulmate Christina; a devoted Mother Dr.
Geraldine (Randolph) Gaffney; and a devoted father and bonus mom Deacon Everette &
Cynthia (Cindy); three loving siblings Ejay, Robert (Emani), and Lenesha; a caring Grandmother
Bishop Minnie Crawford, three nieces Dene sha (DJ), Rhia and Lyric; one great-niece LaRya,
and one great-nephew Kamaron. God Mother Lora Holsey Cooper (GA), a god-daughter Amira
Gaffney, a wealth of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Dwayne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dwayne?
Share a story where Dwayne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dwayne you’ll never forget.
How did Dwayne make you smile?