Eleanor Charlotte McConaghy

Born March 5, 1923 in Johnstown, PA to Emma Carlson Byers and Howard Byers, Charlotte had a loving family with seven siblings. In 1949, she met her match: Edward James McConaghy. Together they parented their children Barry, Eric and Lori and enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage.

Charlotte was an accomplished seamstress known for her quick wit and entrepreneurial spirit. After a career that included working as a seamstress for J.C. Penney in New York City, in the 1970s she opened her own shop, Charlotte’s Sew & So, at the corner of Bells Ferry and Piedmont Roads in Marietta. She often put her talents to use for friends and family, creating and tailoring wedding gowns, suits, custom curtains and more for those she loved.

In 1969, she helped found what is now known as Grace Church of Town Center, alongside her brother, Pastor William A. Byers. Along with their families, the two siblings also established a neighborhood around the church, Charlotte acting as building contractor for several homes in the Hidden Forest community.

Over the five decades she lived in Georgia, Charlotte gave generously of her love, talents and energy to her Grace Church family, who will miss her dearly.

Charlotte is survived by her brother William Byers and his wife Betty; her son Eric, his wife Gail and their two daughters, Haley and Hannah; her daughter Lori Smith and her husband A.C.; her son Barry’s children Eric McConaghy and Julie Banks; her husband’s family in La Crosse and Madison, WI; as well as members of her siblings’ families, including many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Ed, her son Barry, as well as siblings: Esther and husband Fred Pflugh, Olivia and husband Warren, Howard and wife Alene, Maurice and wife Eileen, Lindy and wife Betty, and Glenn and wife Delores.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charlotte’s name to the Children’s Ministry Memorial Fund at Grace Church of Town Center in Kennesaw.