Charlotte Ann Todd Linge

Charlotte was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 21, 1937. She graduated from George Washington High School in 1955 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University in 1959. From there, she began a lifelong career in education as a classroom teacher and school librarian. After college graduation, Charlotte and her then-husband, David Linge, lived in New Haven, Connecticut; Nashville, Tennessee; Heidelberg, Germany; and Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1966, the couple had their eldest daughter, Carolyn, in Heidelberg. Upon returning to Tennessee, their younger daughter, Gretchen, was born in 1967.

The family moved to Knoxville in 1968. After years as a classroom teacher, Charlotte earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Tennessee in 1974. She then began a 30-year career with Knox County Schools. She served as School Librarian at Carter Elementary School for 20 years before transferring to Mount Olive Elementary School from 1994 until her retirement in 2004.

During her 35-year career in education, Charlotte’s love of children’s literature combined with her gentle nature enriched the lives of countless students, who undoubtedly benefited from her patience and kindness. Her dedication to public service continued after her retirement, as Charlotte held several positions on the Knox County Retired Teachers Board. Also, as an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church, she proudly served on the committee that founded the church library.

Charlotte especially loved poetry and literature. She was a gifted writer and masterful editor, known by friends and family for generously offering to type their academic papers. These unsuspecting victims were inevitably summoned to her typewriter, where she gently suggested revisions, ultimately leaving them with the gift of an impeccable (and often unrecognizable) paper.

Charlotte had a masterful command of language. She could always find the right words for any situation, even those that left others at a loss. Delivered with a balance of eloquence and precision that only she could achieve, her perfect turns of phrase could be wise, encouraging and hysterically funny. Even after she suffered a stroke in 2019 and was severely limited in her ability to speak, Charlotte often surprised others with her gentle, unexpected utterances of words and phrases that echoed her younger self.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her mother, Katherine Faulkner Todd Hunt, of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is survived by daughters, Carolyn Linge of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Gretchen Linge Moran (Eddie) of Knoxville, Tennessee. She also leaves

behind three devoted grandsons, Richard Moran (April) of Memphis, Tennessee, Jack Moran of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Michael Moran of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Charlotte will be remembered not only for her immense kindness and delicate beauty but also for her resilience, courage, and strength. She brought the world wisdom and goodness that seemed gifted from heaven. She was the personification of grace, and those loved by her could not have known a truer friend or sweeter soul.

Considerate until the end, Charlotte wanted to thank friends and family members who never wavered in their love and support during the final years of her life, especially David Linge and Barbara Hickey.

Charlotte will be buried in a private graveside ceremony at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. Friends who wish to leave a message or remembrance may do so by visiting www.dignitymemorial.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Knox County Public Library Foundation (500 W. Church Ave. Knoxville, TN 37902) or the Interfaith Health Clinic (315 Gill Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917).