Charlotte Perkins Craghead

Although Washington Irving wrote about our tears as being “messengers of our overwhelming grief and unspeakable love,” Charlotte Perkins Craghead--whom Jesus called home in the early hours of Wednesday, January 22, 2025--wouldn’t want her family and loved ones to be saddened by her death for long. But for right now--when it’s so fresh in our minds and hearts--we grieve for the loss of a truly godly woman, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Charlotte faced hardship just as her life began in Hadensville, VA. Charlotte Jeannette Thomas was born on October 27, 1939, to Maude Parrish Thomas and Hartrell Thomas; she never knew her mother because she died from childbirth complications during Charlotte’s birth. Because her father was unable to adequately care for her, she was adopted and raised by her maternal grandmother, Emma Parrish. Charlotte grew up in a loving, but very crowded home. As a teenager, she shared a bed with at least two other sisters.

Charlotte’s mother, Emma, gave birth to fifteen children of her own---not a twin in the bunch–and then adopted several of her grandchildren when their parents met an untimely death. Charlotte was not a coddled child and had real responsibilities from an early age. One of her main chores was to awaken hours before school began to milk the cows. She grew to hate that chore because milking cows in the evening often made her late for a date or going to a sock hop with friends.

Charlotte met her first, best, and lifelong friend on the school bus on their first day of school, Effie Jordan. In high school, Charlotte loved playing basketball and being an alternate on the cheerleading squad. She couldn’t afford the required saddle oxfords, and once borrowed Effie’s--whose feet were a few sizes smaller than Charlotte’s. Charlotte never complained. Charlotte spent summers in Richmond with her older sister, Grace, and Grace’s husband, Curtis. She loved her time with her sister. But back to Goochland High School she went when the next school year began.

One day, Charlotte’s date walked up the long driveway to pick her up and was met by one of her brothers and her brother’s friend--a boy named Marshall Perkins. Her brother and Marshall chased Charlotte’s date back down the driveway wielding axes. Marshall had already decided that he liked Charlotte, but he hadn’t yet asked her out. Charlotte thought she’d been stood up, and didn’t learn otherwise for quite some time. Soon after, Charlotte noticed Marshall too; and henceforth Charlotte only ever had eyes for him. They shared their first kiss on a ferris wheel at a county fair. Charlotte and Marshall married in June of 1958, right after Charlotte graduated high school. They remained happily married until Marshall’s death forty-three years later.

Marshall served in the Army during the first few years of their marriage, and they spent several fun-filled years living on base at Fort Story in Virginia Beach. Eventually, Charlotte and Marshall settled in Richmond, VA, and the couple set about to start a family. After a few heart-wrenching miscarriages, they had an opportunity to adopt an infant girl born in March of 1970, straight from Richmond Memorial Hospital. They went to the hospital and loved her instantly. They took her home five days after she was born and were greeted by a host of gleeful neighbors, friends, and family members. They named her Jill Renee, and they now felt like a family.

After a few years living in Richmond, they moved a few miles west to a house that Marshall built with his own two hands in Clover Hill Farms. Charlotte enjoyed decorating their home and being a room mother for Jill Renee’s class. She also worked in their expansive garden and shared the produce they grew with friends.

In winter, when Virginia's state legislature was in session, Charlotte worked in the Legislative Automated Systems for the Commonwealth of Virginia Legislature--both in the House of Delegates and the State Senate. Although the hours were sometimes long and tiring, she made lifelong friends who laughed often to help pass the time. Charlotte was present for several gubernatorial inaugurations, and got to know a few governors on a personal level.

After being active members at Chesterfield Baptist Church for several years, they--along with several other couples--felt compelled to start a new church. Charlotte and Marshall were among the founding members of Swift Creek Baptist Church (SCBC). Thus both Marshall and Charlotte began a life of service at their church home. Charlotte served on the pastoral search committee, taught vacation Bible school, and directed many weddings for church members and their children.

As a family, Charlotte, Marshall, and Jill went on mission trips together--to Billingham, England, and to several places in the U.S. They spent fun summers chaperoning the youth group at Christian camps. Charlotte also went on a mission trip to the Philippines.

Although Charlotte relished serving and helping others , her true gift was the gift of hospitality. Although the Perkins family was small, their house rarely contained just the three of them. Charlotte frequently opened up their home to church friends and strangers in need. She hosted many parties and holiday meals but also liked having people over “just because.” Charlotte was an incredible, instinctive cook--often whipping up delicious meals at the last minute with little advanced planning and on a limited budget. Charlotte lived by “the more, the merrier” principle. Preparing food for her guests gave Charlotte genuine joy, and by God’s grace, there was always enough for everyone. Hundreds of people over the years were fortunate recipients of Charlotte’s culinary generosity.

Charlotte thrived on Bible study, and read from the Scriptures she loved daily. She was known for calling up friends and eagerly sharing what she’d learned. Charlotte and Marshall shepherded many young couples to grow in Christ together. Their ministry impacted hundreds of lives by being prayer warriors and leading by example. Charlotte was not a hypocrite; she truly lived what she believed. She was as generous with sharing her wisdom as she was sharing meals.

Charlotte loved to laugh, but she also had a shoulder to cry on if needed. She stayed at the bedside of many an ailing relative and friend. Charlotte was reliable and unwavering when she offered her support. This became most evident when she cared for her beloved husband during his battle with cancer. His dying words to her were “I love you,” and he went to heaven looking straight at his darling Charlotte. The sudden absence of Marshall was devastating to her, but Charlotte threw herself into the lives of her grandchildren.

Nothing brought Charlotte more joy than her three grandchildren--Emma Grace, John Maddux, and Bridget Drew. She celebrated all of their special occasions and was a ubiquitous presence at all their activities. Sleepovers at “Mema’s house” were blissful, eagerly anticipated occasions. She had a gift for celebrating each grandchild’s uniqueness.

After nearly twenty years of widowhood, Charlotte found true love a second time--with Dennis Craghead, a member of her Sunday School class. Their wedding in October of 2018 was a joyful event. Dennis loved Charlotte and spoiled her by taking extra special care of her and bringing more fun and companionship in her final years. As her disease took its toll on her mind and abilities, Dennis’s love never wavered.

Charlotte was a great treasure and a hero to many. Her love and service to others changed hundreds of lives for the better. She had humble beginnings to her life, but she died with a community of love around her.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents--Hartrell and Maude Thomas; her beloved maternal grandmother, Emma Parrish; her first husband, Marshall Perkins; and several brothers and sisters from her large family. She is survived by her husband, Dennis Craghead; her daughter, Jill Burke (husband Neal); and grandchildren--Emma Grace Williamson (husband Tyler Groesnick); John Maddux Williamson (wife Jessie); and Bridget Drew Burke. She also leaves behind many dear friends including Bill and Effie Kahl, John and Cathy Marks, Richard and Sandra Ford; Wanda Armstrong, and David and Carolyn Longmire.

Visitation will be held at Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel,1020 Huguenot Rd., Midlothian, VA 23113, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Swift Creek Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m., 7511 N. Spring Run Rd., Midlothian, VA 23112. Interment is immediately afterwards at Dale Memorial Park, 10201 Newbys Bridge Rd., Chesterfield, VA 23832.

Those who prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers can donate to one of the following organizations: SCBC Missions Trip Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association.