Charline Helen Riley Nyomo, 80, died on Sept. 12, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was born on March 26, 1945, in Evanston to Charles Leonard Khalil Bezaleel Riley (stage name Khalil Nimini Ben Bezaleel, an actor) and Julia Rebecca Perrin Riley. Charlene was a proud member of the Perrin family of Darrow Avenue in the 5th Ward of Evanston. She was the granddaughter of Miller “Papa” Perrin and Mamie Brooks Perrin, and of Dr. Bezaleel Rozell Riley and Bessie Ann Hodges.
The Perrin family has been a part of the Evanston community for well over 100 years. Her grandfather, Miller “Papa” Perrin, was a beloved figure in Evanston’s 5th Ward. He maintained the last farm and farm animals in the ward and was widely known in the community for his cherished hay rides in his horse and buggy, which he offered throughout the year. This legacy of community presence, joy, and hospitality remains an important part of her family’s story.
Charline grew up in Evanston and attended Foster School, Haven Middle School, and Evanston Township High School, Class of 1963. At ETHS she studied Latin and nurtured a love for languages, a gift she inherited from her father. Charline became fluent in Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese. She learned Portuguese after mastering Spanish, inspired by a friend from Brazil with whom she worked many years ago.
After she graduated from ETHS, she enrolled at Kentucky State University (HBCU) but left before getting her degree. She wanted to pursue her passions in modeling and singing.
Her career and travels
In Chicago, Charline became one of the first Black women to work at Playboy’s head office, opening the door to a career in modeling and dancing. She later lived in Puerto Rico, and then across Europe — in London, England; Brussels, Belgium; Aachen, Germany; and Paris, France — where her artistic career flourished.
While in Germany, she was introduced by phone to François Mantuila Nyomo, a student at the International Conservatory of Paris. He was working on a jazz album and looking for jazz singers. Francoise paid for Charline’s train ticket to Paris so they could collaborate on the album. She often said he fell in love with her at first sight. Together they built a life together grounded in music, culture, and family.
Family Life
Charline and François welcomed two daughters, Julia Lusungi Rebecca Nyomo (born in Paris, 1975) and Ndona Nkembi Nyomo Muboyayi (born in New York City, 1976), both of whom survive her. After François’s passing in 2010, Charline lovingly adopted his sons, Franck Mantuila Nyomo and Benjamin Nyomo. Benjamin passed shortly after his father, while Franck remains a beloved part of her life.
Charline had a lifelong love of history — especially Black, African, and religious history — and filled her home with books she shared with her daughters. She inherited her activism and love of history from her grandfather, Dr. Bezaleel Rozell Riley, and passed this legacy forward by introducing her daughters to cultures, cuisines and activities such as dance, aquatics and multicultural programs. Charline instilled self-pride, cultural pride, and identity while teaching them to embrace diversity.
She also inherited her love of farming from her grandfather, Papa Perrin, and expressed it through gardening. She grew everything from baby watermelon to squash, avocado and tomatoes.
In her later years, Charline retired to Cassopolis, Michigan, where she often reminisced about her childhood with her grandparents. She enjoyed a simpler life — surrounded by fresh food, nature and community.
Charline’s legacy
Charline is remembered for her vibrant spirit, activism, and devotion to family and friends. She carried forward the legacy of her parents and grandparents while leaving her own mark as a model, singer, traveler, mother, grandmother and friend.
Charline is survived by her children, Julia Lusungi Rebecca Nyomo, and Ndona Nkembi Nyomo Muboyayi, and her adopted son, Franck Mantuila Nyomo; her grandchildren, Samuel Bezaleel Sanchez, Jaret Xavier Sanchez, Madeline Lusungi Sanchez, Christophe Mubanga Muboyayi, and Lila-Kapinga Françoise Muboyayi; her half-sister, Anne Parham; and the extended Perrin, Riley, Nyomo, Muboyayi, and Sanchez families, in-laws, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband François Mantuila Nyomo; her parents, Charles Leonard Khalil Bezaleel Riley and Julia Rebecca Perrin Riley, her brother, Miller Riley, her half-brother, Andrew Maurice Riley; her adopted son, Benjamin Nyomo, and other beloved relatives.
Her life will be celebrated by all who were blessed to know her. Visitation for Charline will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 1917 Asbury Avenue in Evanston. Her wake will take place on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Second Baptist Church, 1717 Benson Avenue in Evanston followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. A celebration of life for family and friends will follow at 3 p.m. at First Repair, 1900 Asbury Ave. in Evanston.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family welcomes donations in Charline’s memory to Majestic Reign, Inc., an Evansto-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to Majestic Reign support programs in a variety of subjects, including the arts, climate and environmental education, and foreign language instruction.
