Charlotte Anne Shockley

She was born May 27, 1937, in Ada, Oklahoma to George Henry Collins and Mona Russia Fussell Collins. As a young child, her family, along with older brother George Ed Collins, moved to Los Angeles, California, near the Los Angeles Coliseum, towards finding better employment opportunities for her parents. The family returned to Oklahoma after several years, and Charlotte eventually graduated from Ada High School (Go Cougars!). She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Central State College (now the University of Central Oklahoma).

Despite a Depression-era childhood in a family of very modest means, she took cues from both her parents’ strong work ethics and early recognized the path to betterment through hard work. After graduating Central State College she immediately entered into federal civil service at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she met, fell in love with, and on May 31, 1975 married, a young United States Air Force Captain.

After marriage, the now Capt. and Mrs. Shockley, and son John Jeffrey, following Larry’s transfer orders, had stops in Clovis, New Mexico (Canon AFB), Montgomery, Alabama (Maxwell AFB), and Austin, Texas (Bergstrom AFB), before settling in the Northern Virginia area in 1981. The family lived in Springfield, Virginia until 1995 before moving to Lorton. Charlotte and (Col.) Larry Gordon Shockley celebrated their 47th year of matrimony in 2022 at their home of 27 years in Lorton, Virginia.

Each new stop reflected a challenge for Charlotte to find civil service opportunities to allow her to continue her career, while simultaneously working her other full time jobs as military spouse, mother, and homemaker. She was determined. In Austin, viable employment opportunities were not available; she commuted weekdays from Austin to San Antonio, where employment was found. While working for the Defense Logistics Agency at Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia, she earned a mid-career graduate degree (Masters of Public Administration, Administrative Organization and Management, Golden Gate University) while continuing to work full-time. Charlotte ultimately retired from civil service after 28 years.

Throughout her life, she was consumed by a passion for the well-being of animals. As a young child, during the height of World War II, she selflessly shielded her springer spaniel Dixie in the basement of their modest house from looming Axis threats. As an adult, she devoted much of her spare time to animal rescue – hundreds upon hundreds of animals owe their quality of life and safety to her efforts to coordinate rescue, foster, and forever homes (often her own). Her numerous recognitions for these efforts include being named Outstanding Humanitarian by The Montgomery County Humane Society

Charlotte is survived by her husband, Col Larry G. Shockley (USAF, ret.) and son John Jeffrey Shockley, her pets Penny (Chihuahua), Tuffy (Chihuahua), Danny (Cocker Spaniel) and Patches (Calico feline), and numerous lifelong friends. Charlotte was a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, Pontotoc District, Oklahoma, an affiliation shared by her son.

Charlotte never waited for life to come to her. She sought it every day, and lived a life full of love, compassion, and humor.

A visitation for Charlotte will be held Friday, April 7, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor her love of animals, please consider a donation to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the Humane Society of Fairfax County (or your local Humane Society). Or just give your favorite pet a hug and let them know it’s from her.