Martha C. Charlton

Martha Chancey Charlton was born on September 29, 1929 in Enterprise, Alabama, and went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 23, 2016. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM Tuesday at Ridout's Prattville Chapel followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Prattville Memorial Gardens. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Bates Charlton, her parents, Merle Rowe Chancey and John Porter Chancey, and her sister, Mary Mac Chancey. She is survived by her daughters, Melissa Charlton Bowen and her husband Terry, of Prattville, and Ann Charlton Duke and her husband Chris, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, by her grandchildren, Gregory Lloyd Bowen and his wife Samantha, and Paul Charlton Bowen, of Prattville, Robert Charlton Duke and his wife Julea, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Emily Duke Wishik and her husband Parker, of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by her great-grandchild Logan Marion Bowen, who was born on her birthday, her sister, Sarah Chancey Ezzell, of Enterprise, and beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Church was an important part of her life, and she taught generations of children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. After marrying her sweetheart in 1949, she moved to Birmingham, where she lived for over 50 years. There she was active at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood. Later she moved to Prattville to be near family, where she joined First United Methodist Church of Prattville, and later attended First Baptist Church of Prattville with her family.

She always had a smile on her face, and her sweet spirit attracted friends wherever she went. She had many close friends in Birmingham and Prattville, and enjoyed the richness that good friends added to her life. She approached each new stage of her life with optimism and interest. She loved music all of her life, and her days were filled with beautiful melodies, even until the end of her life. Her family was her heart, and her love was felt by every member of her family. She was the quintessential southern lady, and taught her girls the graceful manners necessary to make those around them feel comfortable.

A life well lived, filled with faith, family and dignity.

She will be missed by many, but we are all better for having had her in our lives.

If you would like to honor her with a contribution, please consider giving to Trinity United Methodist Church, Homewood, First United Methodist Church, Prattville, or First Baptist Church, Prattville.