Our mother, Charlayn, was born on June 20, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Harold Druce Pugsley and Opal Evert. Charlayn had one older sister, Joyce Mae. Mom attended schools in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from South High School. She further pursued her education at the University of Utah and later Iowa State University.
While a student at the University of Utah, she met Walter Albert Fearnley. The two were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 15, 1957. Sixty-three years together has not been nearly enough.
Charlayn is the mother of five children. It seemed like Mom could do anything; kiss away bad dreams, love surly teenagers, bandage knees, sew Halloween costumes, drive a stick shift, help with science fair projects, and cook countless batches of heavenly homemade rolls, oatmeal raisin cookies, and apple squares.
A piece of our Mom’s wisdom was to give everyone two cookies, because, “You need one for each hand.” Mom made friends easily because she was a good listener, who made you feel really heard and cared about. She was the great mix of unexpected fun wrapped in a proper package.
In the Book of Mormon, Alma 56:48 says, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” Our mother did know it. She is a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and resided in the Bartlett 2nd Ward and lived her life to be worthy to meet the Savior.
Charlayn is survived by her husband Walt, son, Michael Albert Fearnley (Miriam), son, Walter Tracy Fearnley (Tina), son, Daren Druce Fearnley (Melinda), daughter, Shannon Fearnley Smith (Eric) and son-in-law, Phillip Ralph Bradsher.
She has 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, and beloved daughter, Tanya Lyn Fearnley Bradsher.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, June 4, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, Tennessee. Funeral Services will be presided over by Bishop Michael Jones and held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4195 Kirby Whitten Road, Bartlett, Tennessee.
