Charla Beirne Trader

The daughter of Charles Leland and Frances Peters Ward, Charla was born in Dallas on October 9, 1946. Ever a Daddy’s girl, Charla inherited her optimism, honesty, and strength of character from her father and her fondness for community involvement from her mother.

Charla grew up in Houston and attended St. Michael Catholic School and then the newly-built St. Cecilia Catholic School. A proud graduate of St. Agnes Academy, class of 1964, she was a recipient of the St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Veritas Award. After attending Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, she completed her studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Throughout her life, she remained very close to her dear childhood friends.

Charla was always an active volunteer and community supporter. She was very involved in her children’s school activities and served on many boards and committees. She especially loved her kids’ “T-Ball Eras,” though keeping score was not exactly her strong suit! All her life, Charla was engaged in and supported Catholic education. She was a long-time parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and was a past member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women.

Charla was keenly interested in real estate, whether for herself or while helping her friends find homes and investments. She was affiliated with both Madeline O’Brien Realtors and Keller Williams.

Charla loved to travel near and far with friends and made new ones easily. She explored the globe by land, air, and sea with a particular affinity for cruising. Charla also enjoyed spending time in Arizona and Lake Conroe.

Gracious and caring, Charla was a woman who possessed a memorable laugh and wonderful sense of humor and was always game for an adventure. Most of all, Charla will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend to all she knew.

Charla was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her three children, Martin D. Beirne, III (Mary), Shannon Beirne Wiesedeppe (Bud), and Kelley Beirne Stephens (Steve) and their father Martin D. Beirne (Kathleen) all of Houston, Texas. “Gran” is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Douglas Beirne, Brink and Finley Wiesedeppe, and Quincy Stephens. Charla is also survived by her sister Pam Hornberger (Bob) and niece, Amy Hardin (Jon) all of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Special thanks to long-time friend Fidelina Key of Ellijay, Georgia.

A funeral service will be celebrated at half after ten in the morning on Friday, the 12th of July 2024, at Waltrip Funeral Directors in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Charla may be directed to: St. Agnes Academy, www.st-agnes.org/support-us/memorials-and-tributes or by calling 713.219.5493.