Charlene B. Sorrells

Charlene Betty Ellison Sorrells was born December 5, 1939 to the late Charles Ellison and Madeline Hilgard Ellison in Queens, New York. She was a graduate of New Rochelle Nursing School in New Rochelle, New York, and Northwestern State University for Nursing in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She honorably served in the United States Air Force. She was stationed at bases in Missouri and the Republic of South Vietnam on active duty. Charlene transferred to Air Force reserves as a flight nurse at Barksdale Air Force Base and at Charleston, South Carolina. She retired from the Veterans Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana after many years of dedication. She was a longtime member of her local Vietnam Veteran Association. Charlene and her husband, Donald enjoyed attending Veterans Celebration in Branson, Missouri when he was alive. She loved the beach and lighthouses.

Charlene was a true caregiver throughout her life. She delighted in being a nurse and agonized in her later years that she "couldn't do anything (for others)" as she was accustomed to performing nursing duties and not being on the receiving end of it. She was compassionate and loving. As a nurse she was a mother to many. She enjoyed traveling, going on adventures, meeting new people, hearing their stories and telling countless stories of her own. She liked to stay on top of current events and politics and discuss them with others. And she loved to volunteer and be involved with many events and people, always a curious and interested individual.

She was devoted to God. Charlene always attended church. She was a member of Heritage Baptist Church during her sunset years. Her love for the Lord Jesus Christ was evident in her life and especially in her final weeks. She seemed to become very peaceful regarding her homegoing and knew she would soon be with God.

Charlene went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 3, 2025, in Shreveport, Louisiana at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Donald Brooks Sorrells, her parents, brother, and sister-in-law. Left to cherish her memory are numerous friends and loved ones who will deeply miss her.

A visitation for Charlene will be held Friday, August 8, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71108. A celebration of life will follow at 6:00 PM, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71108. Officiating the service will be Pastor Corey Smith with Pastor Jeff Raines assisting. Interment will occur Monday, August 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Centuries Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Charlene's memory may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America, https://vva.org/.