She loved fiercely, she spoke bravely, and she unabashedly spread kindness and adventure into the world. Beloved mother, grandmother, friend, Charlotte Ellen French (née Alexander) passed away surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at the age of 96.

Charlotte was born on February 27, 1928, in her grandmother’s farmhouse in Augusta County, Virginia. She grew up during the depression, and made waves as the talk of the town when she was a little girl who wore shorts when walking down Main Street. In 1944, she graduated high school early and left home to work in Washington, DC at the War Department and later the Federal Communications Department. She longed to be a teacher, so she left Washington, DC and paid her own way through one year at Madison College.

From an early age, she felt a calling to live in a way that reflected the teachings of Jesus, letting her faith guide her every step. But her faith wasn’t something she kept to herself—it was something she shared wholeheartedly with those around her. Charlotte believed that love was more than a feeling; it was an action, a commitment, and a purpose. She sought to make everyone she encountered feel accepted, valued, and cared for, just as God sees and loves each of us. Using this faith as her guide, Charlotte then started a local youth organization, combining three church denominations where she mentored the local youth. She taught Sunday school, and went on national and international mission trips.

In 1953, she married her one and only, Herbert French. They met on a blind date that Charlotte desperately wanted to back out of, however, she ended up falling for him. He challenged her and pushed her to grow. Together, they went from humble beginnings–with a wooden spool table and apple crate night stands–to a comfortable life in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They shared 63 wonderful years together full of happy hours by the waterfall in the backyard. Herbert preceded her in death in June 2016.

As a mother, Charlotte was fun, but firm. She had a curious mind, instilling that curiosity into her children. She took them to historical sights to expand their horizons and learn about the world around them. She also planned simple excursions like horseback riding, apple picking, picnics, and riding on a train, just to experience a train ride for the first time. One time she took her children to the White House, but they arrived too late, missing the last tour. So, she took her young children to the tours’ exit, and told them to walk in backwards! (It worked, but it was the 1960s…). She was fiercely competitive, whether racing her son Kirk or refusing to let her grandchildren win at any game. She loved playing all kinds of games and she had a lifelong passion of playing Bridge with her friends.

She was a mom who took care of everyone—from aunts, great aunts, grandparents, to her neighbors and children’s friends. She had a way of making birthdays and milestones feel truly special, finding unique ways to make everyone in her life feel valued and cherished. Her home was where people came to socialize or seek her guidance.

She returned to Madison College in her 40’s, continuing toward her goal of being a teacher. She graduated at the age of 52 from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education. She taught at Broadway High School for several years.

In her later years, she was blessed with the opportunity to travel widely, exploring six continents and over 35 countries. Her adventures included riding camels in Egypt, elephants in India, going on a safari in Africa, hiking Machu Picchu, walking along the Great Wall of China, and being held up by the KGB in Russia (it was all a misunderstanding, everything was fine!). She continues to have friends she met through her travels all over the world. She shared her love of travel with her children and grandchildren, passing on her passion for discovery and the joy of experiencing different cultures.

She was a loving wife, powerful woman, community builder, and a light in the lives of all who knew her. She had a way of inspiring everyone around her, making people admire her warmth, resilience, and zest for life—and many have found themselves wanting to be just like her. Her legacy lives on, woven into the lives she touched and the communities she uplifted. She’s left all of our lives better for having her in it. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Surviving family include sons, Scott Winston French and Kelly Joe French and wife, Jennifer; daughter, Dawn French Jones and husband, Dan; grandchildren, Brittany Evans and husband, Graham, Kendall Kaufman and husband, Bryn, Arthur French and wife, Candice, Alexander French and wife, Jess and Matthew French; daughter-in-law, Karen French; great-grandchildren, Marcus Kaufman and one expected in December 2024.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Kirk Lee French; brother, Donald Alexander and sister, Betty Jane Swecker

In honor of the brightness Charlotte brought into the world, the family requests that bright colors be worn at her celebration of life ceremony on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.