Charlotte Corken

With humble acceptance of God’s divine will, the Corken family announces the passing of our beloved matriarch, Charlotte Helena (Winters) Corken, 78, on September 26th, 2024, in the comfort of her own home in Edmond, Oklahoma surrounded by loved ones. We rejoice for she is triumphantly resting within the arms of our heavenly Father. Our beautiful ‘Gigi’ will remain present in our hearts forever.

Charlotte Helena Winters came into the world smiling on September 16, 1946, in Carnegie, Oklahoma, to her late parents Marvin Roy Winters and Helena Theresa Helfenbein Winters. She continued to share her cheerful demeaner while growing up in Mountain View, Oklahoma, alongside her two siblings, an older brother, Carlton Ray Winters (born 1943) and younger sister, Carol Gaye Winters (born 1947). She loved her childhood growing up in an idealistic close-knit community. Her parents were dedicated entrepreneurs who ran several thriving businesses, including Winter’s Home and Auto. Beyond their business ventures, they also found success in agriculture. As respected members of the United Methodist Church, their family played a key role in building of the new church in 1960. Charlotte was the president of the town’s Methodist Youth Fellowship organization and was deeply involved in the church community. The family took great pride in their German roots and enjoyed preparing and sharing traditional dishes passed down through generations. They worked hard and played hard. During summers when school was out, after they finished their jobs of cooking and cleaning, as a treat, their parents would take them water skiing on the family boat with other children from town. Charlotte was a dedicated student for the Mountain View Tigers, and excelled in various activities: basketball, band drum major, played the organ, piano, clarinet. She was also honored as the homecoming queen and high school class sweetheart. She adoringly described her childhood in a small town as like a dream.

After graduating from high school, Charlotte left her hometown and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. This move represented a major shift as a girl from a rural small-town background transitioning to a large, hustling college environment in a city, yet she managed to navigate through it gracefully, just as she always did. She successfully completed her studies with a bachelor's degree in interior design with an additional minor in music.

Upon graduating as an OU Sooner, she began her professional journey and was quickly a sought-after designer at a prominent furniture store in Oklahoma City. She was great with people and could make magic happen with her exquisite eye for design. During her time there, she was commissioned for a project at a large hospital, which served as a pivotal moment in her career, leading her into the field of commercial interior design. Her career path proved to be exceptionally rewarding and fit her perfectly.

On January 8th, 1975, Charlotte married her love, Charles Gelder Corken, in a private ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City. Over the next 49 adventurous years, they built a fulfilling marriage. In 1975, the same year that they married, Charlotte and Charles opened their own commercial interior design firm, Corken & Associates. For the next 25+ years, Charlotte worked on large-scale projects in diverse sectors including medical, banking, hospitality, government, and religious organizations, while also continuing her residential design work. After formally retiring and closing their design firm in 2005 to travel and spend more time with their growing family, Charlotte enjoyed maintaining design consulting relationships with many of her long-term clients.

Charlotte and Charles joined First Presbyterian Church of Edmond in 1975 where they were long-time members and lovingly raised their children. Charlotte was deeply involved in the church, participating in Women's Bible Studies, Martha's Circle, Stephen Ministry, singing in the choir, and helping with children's Sunday school and vacation bible school. Prior to the construction of the new sanctuary, Charlotte was instrumental in the remodeling of the original church and offices. Charlotte's largest contribution was collaborating with the architect to design the stunning new church that is still proudly used today. She worked on numerous remodeling and design projects within the church, all of which have stood the test of time in quality and timelessness. Charlotte commissioned the large "Last Supper" art piece at the entry, as well as two large paintings in the Great Hall. Later, Charlotte and Charles were involved in Crossings Community Church of Oklahoma City, where Charlotte participated in women's Bible studies and the intensive Apprenticeship Bible study. Charlotte was also active in the broader Edmond community, involved with the Edmond Women's Club, Bible Study Fellowship, and Arise Single Moms Ministry. Her active involvement in the community and church and exceptional design work, led to cherished lifelong friendships.

Undoubtedly, and most importantly, Charlotte loved her family. Charlotte basked in her role of being a mother with immense joy and purpose. God certainly knew what he was doing when he gifted Charlotte these 5 specific children to love and adore and she honored that responsibility with intention and heart. Charlotte and Charles took great pride in their roles as devoted parents, raising their five children together: Charles Trent Corken, Cathi Louise Corken, Debbye Anne Corken Eubanks, Clinton Allen Lewis, and Candace Noelle Corken McCormack. Charlotte treasured and affectionately doted on her 7 grandchildren who were undeniably her greatest source of joy. The name of “Gigi” started with her oldest granddaughter, and it stuck, not just for the grandchildren but for all those who loved her. Charlotte additionally had 4 precious young great-grandchildren. She loved “her people” well, boosted with them in their successes and was also a soft place to fall when anyone needed a pep-talk.

To her husband, she leaves her undying love, immeasurable gratitude, and their devoted children, who will love and spoil him dearly. To their daughter, Candace, she instills her nurturing spirit, her role as social coordinator and her persistent strong-willed spirit. To their son, Clint, she imparts her relentless drive to find logic in the illogical, her resolute stubbornness, and her keen intellect. To their daughter, Debbye, she leaves behind her green thumb, her role as Thanksgiving host extraordinaire, and her bear hugging responsibilities. To their son, Trent, she passes down her impeccable design sensibilities, love of traveling and sunny disposition. To all her beloved grandchildren, she leaves an unforgettable legacy, a yearning to be a “person of excellence”, a love that surpasses time, and a drawer full of inspirational post-it notes. To her friends and extended family, she leaves a collection of memories beyond photographs, infectious laughter, and firm instructions to take care of her beloved, Chuck.

Despite a grueling battling with pancreatic cancer, she courageously completed her race with unwavering determination. Even in the face of such adversity, her radiant spirit remained steadfast, a testament to her unshakable faith in God's goodness. Confident in His promises, she found purpose and peace, even amidst the pain and heartache of leaving us behind. Deeply cherished by many, her legacy will endure, and we can celebrate a life well-lived and a race well-run. Until we meet again…

Charlotte is survived by her loving husband, Charles Corken; their joint children, Trent (Kathy) Corken, Debbye (Clayton) Eubanks, Clint (Susan) Lewis and Candace McCormack; their adored grandchildren: Kelsey (Russ) Naylor, Scott (Kylee) Corken, Kade McCormack, Barrett Eubanks, Kyler McCormack, Henry Lewis and William Lewis; their great grandchildren, Tommie Corken, Everly Corken, Rowan Corken and Beckham Corken; sister-in-law, Cheryl Hoster; brother-in-law, Jim Reese; nieces, Laura Meyer and Lindley (Clay) Welch; nephews, Jeff (Kathy) Hoster, Blake Hoster, Michael (Addie) Winters, Chris (Genelle) Reese, Adam (Laura) Reese, Kaleb (Kathee) Reese and numerous extended family and friends.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Helena Winters; her brother, Carlton R Winters; her sister, Carol G. Reese; their daughter, Cathi L. Corken; her nephews, Brek Winters and Brian Winters and their loyal golden retriever, Cap.

A Life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered…

With great honor and care, the Corken family request your presence in a joyful Celebration of Life for: Charlotte Helena (Winters) Corken on Monday, October 14th, 2024, at 1:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, Oklahoma. 1001 South Rankin Street, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034. A reception will be immediately following in the Great Hall for all family and friends. Private graveside services for the family will be held at 4:00 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery in the garden area in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She will additionally be interred at Mountainside Cemetery in Mountain View, Oklahoma alongside her parents and siblings. Donations can be made to: Arise Single Moms Ministries, P.O. Box 2973, Edmond, OK 73083

“Well done good and faithful servant.” ~Matthew 25:2