Charlene Virginia Carlisle passed from this earthly life into eternal life on Sunday, December 2, 2018, at the age of 91 years. She was born on January 24, 1927, to Charlie Robert Puckett and Mattie Myrtle Bridges Puckett in Parkin, Arkansas. Her father passed away shortly before her birth, and she, her mother and three siblings remained in Arkansas, until eventually relocating to Houston, Texas, where Charlene graduated from high school.
Not long after graduating, Charlene was sitting with friends at the Officers’ Club at Ellington Field near Houston, when a young man approached her and said, “Well, hello, beautiful. Want to dance?” This young man was the very charming and handsome Captain Robert F. Carlisle, Jr., a member of the legendary World War II Air Force “Flying Carpetbaggers Squadron.” They were married on December 26, 1945, and as members of the “greatest generation,” lived the life of a military family for the next 25 years, residing in several states and one foreign country, including Tacoma, Washington; Roswell, New Mexico; Omaha, Nebraska; Orlando, Florida; Tokyo, Japan; Charleston, South Carolina; Houston, Texas (twice); and finally Mobile, Alabama. Each time her husband received a new duty assignment, Charlene remained behind to pack up, sell their house, and drive with their three very lively boys and the family dog, Lassie, to the next location. After retiring from military duty, the family remained here in Mobile, where their fourth son was born, later moving to Cincinnati, Ohio when Bob relocated with the Environmental Protection Agency. After seven years in Cincinnati they moved back to Mobile in 1979.
In each community where they lived, Charlene was active in her church, civic clubs and other organizations, making dozens of lifelong friends. A long-time member of College Park Baptist Church, she was a Sunday School teacher, member of the Women’s Missionary Union and served on various church committees. She also was a member of the College Woods Civic Club and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. She was a proud Republican and never missed the opportunity to vote.
Affectionately called “Smooch” by her beloved Bob, “Meemaw” by her grandchildren and “Charlie” by her siblings, Charlene was dedicated to God and her family. She knew in Whom she believed, and what she believed, always emphatically and freely sharing those beliefs with others.
In addition to her parents, husband, and first-born son, Stephen Francis Carlisle, Charlene is predeceased by her step-father, Starnes Welborn, and siblings Elsie Scott Oswill, Hazel Aubry James and Truman Puckett. She is survived by her sons, Wesley Marshall Carlisle, Charles Dennis Carlisle (Brenda), and Alan Keith Carlisle (Ronna), and daughters-in-law Brenda Carlisle Johnson (Richard) and Sheila Byrd Hare (Steve). She is survived also by grandchildren, Brooks Curry, Melissa Carlisle Kellner (Scott), Amanda Carlisle Davis (Kyle), Laura Elizabeth Carlisle (Andrew Farris), Grant Carlisle (Rachel), Alex Carlisle, and Patrick Carlisle, and great-grandchildren, Logan Chase Harris, Sullivan Brooke Curry, Noah Kellner, Grace Carlisle, Stevie Davis and Savannah Davis. She is survived as well by numerous nieces and nephews, three of whom were very special to her, Patricia Spadachene (Anthony) and family, Darlene Hight (Curtis) and family, and Mitzie Dale (Derryl) and family.
The family wishes to express its deep love and appreciation to Deirdre Shepard who became Charlene’s devoted friend and caregiver in her last years, caregiver Stephanie Bass, the staff of Crowne Assisted Living of Springhill, and the staff of Covenant Hospice.
Visitation will be on Friday, December 7, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36606. A Celebration of Life service conducted by the Reverend Dr. Robert F. Crider, nephew of Mr. Carlisle, will follow in the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Serenity Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be Anthony Spadachene, Scott Kellner, Kyle Davis and Richard Johnson. Active pallbearers will be Grant Carlisle, Alex Carlisle, Patrick Carlisle, Logan Harris, Brooks Curry and Andrew Farris.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Charlene’s memory to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries of Mobile, 6512 Grelot Road, Mobile, Alabama, 36695, or to the charity of your choice.
