Born in Wormerveer, Netherlands on August 29th, 1934, she spent much of her youth near Naarden, Netherlands during World War II under the Nazi occupation. Her parents were active in the Dutch resistance and were able to protect and save many of the Jews who were being persecuted. Charlotte grew up with them often living and hiding in her family’s home. Her mother was awarded the Erasmus Medal for this and humanitarian service by the Dutch Government in 1997.
She immigrated with her family to the United States in 1946 and became a naturalized citizen soon after. She went to Metairie Park Country Day school in New Orleans and then attended Randolph-Macon College in Virginia.
Charlotte loved her four children: Gabrielle Lamar Pearce (Dick), Albert Levert Lamar, Jr. (Melanie), Willem Lamartine Lamar (Laura), and Madeleine Lamar Morris (Mark). She remained a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother until her last day.
Charlotte had an amazing gift for gardening and love of flora developed during her Dutch upbringing. After moving to Jackson, MS in 1969, Charlotte turned these abilities into working as a freelance florist. She was extremely talented and well known in the Jackson area and spent many happy years arranging flowers for parties and weddings. She also enjoyed her years singing in the St. Richard’s Catholic Church choir.
She had an open-door policy learned from her parents to welcome and harbor many of her children’s friends whom she loved and nurtured and has remained close to throughout the years. Charlotte also spent many hours studying and writing about the Old and New Testaments. This was especially true during the last decade.
Charlotte moved to Ocean Springs in 1992 and became a cherished and active part of that wonderful community. She volunteered many hours, as her mother had, at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. During this time she practiced natural beach photography and left many treasured photographs.
She was preceded in death by her parents and also by her brother, Remmert Cornelis Laan and her sister, Gwendolyn Laan Ozols.
In addition to her four children she is survived and loved dearly by her large family, including her siblings, Yvonne Laan Viguerie of New Orleans, LA, Magtillt Laan van Theil of Ocean Springs, MS and Cyril Laan, Jr. (Dominique) of New Orleans, LA.
She also leaves behind the grandchildren and great grandchildren who called her Otie, Charlotte Gabrielle Brown, Roberts Temple Brown, Peter Lamar Brown, Gemma Celeste Lamar Heide (Brian), Ezra Lamar Heide, Gwendolyn Marie Lamar, Lila Fay Lamar, Albert Carmine Lamar, Ashley Lamar Welch (Thadd), Remy Louise Welch, Olivia Ann Welch, Adeline Rose Welch, Clementine Lamar Welch, Willem Lamartine Lamar, Jr. (Mary Jordan), Ava Lenoir Lamar, Molly Levert Lamar, Samuel Laan Lamar (Claire), Watson Laan Lamar, Lucius Levert Lamar, Nelson Andrew Kajdan (Amanda), Eli Joseph Labauve, Oliver Andrew Kajdan, Ellie Claire Kajdan, Matthew Lamar Kajdan (Jennifer), Matthew Patterson Kajdan, Stephanie Morris Jackson (Jamie), James Forrest Jackson, Anastasia Lampton Triplett (Taylor), Lillian Louise Triplett, Robert Kilpatrick Lampton (Sophie), Florence Davis Lampton and Louis Powell Lampton (Neilley).
Charlotte made many close and special friends everywhere she went. She moved to Madison, MS several years ago, where she appreciated the friendship and helpfulness of Eric and Jessica Holloway and her neighbor, Melanie Woods. She spent these last few years living on the water with her beloved Labrador, Roselle.
The family will have a visitation and celebration of Charlotte’s life Monday, August 5th from 5-7 pm at 4120 Eastover Drive in Jackson, MS. Burial will take place Tuesday, August 6th at 2 pm in Ocean Springs, MS at Evergreen Cemetery 303-311 Dewey Ave.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6)
