Charlotte Sherman

Our lives are only a shadow

Passing over the sands of time.

Charlotte Flora Eaton was born at home, on December 11, 1921 in Wendell, Idaho. Charlotte's dad rode their horse to get the doctor, but by the time they returned, Charlotte had already been born.

She was the 3rd child of 9 children born to Flora Elizabeth Baldwin, and Irwin Clifford Eaton. Because she was the first girl, she had many responsibilities and grew up very fast.

On Charlotte's 8th birthday, her mother took her to town. She got her first permanent and first ride on a streetcar, then they went to a children's radio program. She was chosen with several other children to perform. She sang the song "If I Could Fly Like a Bird With Wings". When she got home, her friends said they had heard her sing on the radio. So she had her first 15 minutes of fame. When she was in high school, Charlotte joined Speech Class. They had a story telling contest, and she decided to enter and recite the story of The Selfish Giant. Near the end of the story, she got down on her knees and held out her hands as the little boy had done to show the giant the nail prints in his hands. There was not a sound in the room as she ended the story. As she walked off the stage the audience broke out in applause. The judges finally handed in their votes. Charlotte Eaton had won first prize. That was Charlotte's second 15 minutes of fame.

Though Charlotte worked very hard as a homemaker, one of her first formal jobs outside the home was at Pacific Union College as a switchboard operator in Irwin Hall. Her next job was at the PUC bookbindery in the National Geographic Department, where she worked for about 25 years. After she retired she became the leader of the local Community Services for 8 years - a job she loved. She appreciated so much the help of the many volunteers that worked with her. The Unrues, Lucille Moon, and Bill and Gladys White to name a few.

Family was the most important thing to Charlotte. She married Conroy "Jack" Sherman on September 7, 1938 and they had 3 daughters - Connie, Terry and Jackie. Jack died in 1945 of ulcerated colitis one month before Jackie was born. In 1947 she again met Ralph Sherman, Jack's first cousin, and they were married on August 24, 1947 and Gerry was born about a year later. Ralph and Charlotte were married for 65 years. Charlotte said many times, "Ralph is such a good man, how did I get so lucky to marry him?"

Charlotte taught her girls to sing harmony, and music became a big part of the Sherman family. Some of her favorite sons were, Holy, Holy, Holy, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus and Jesus Calls Us.

Charlotte loved games, sewing and shoe and coin collecting in that order. She made wonderful clothes for her girls, including 4 wedding dresses. If a game was being played, Charlotte was at the center. Her motto in life was "The More the Merrier". Friends and family loved to gather at the Sherman home and were welcomed with open arms. A saying she loved was, "One can never do a kindness too soon, because you never know how soon it will be too late."

She loved two little dogs in her life, Caesar and Riley.

One song that Charlotte taught her girls was "Will There be Any Stars in My Crown?" Charlotte changed many people's lives by sharing her love of Jesus Christ and His second coming. And her family thinks that Charlotte will have many stars in her crown.

Besides her 4 daughters, she had eight grandchildren, Steven, Debbie, Karen, Julie, Jeffrey, Scott, Jeremiah and Jill and seven great grandchildren, Shelby, Taylee, Darcee, Jack, Max, Samara, and Ty.

Charlotte cherished her friendships with her siblings, Harold, George, Clifford, Johnny, Robert (Bon, Bon as she called him) Beulah, Donald, and Darlene, her special niece Donna, her friends Hazel, Mickie and Rosalie, and her" inherited" daughters, Linda, Carole Sophia, Ada Joy and Kathie.

Charlotte moved 51 times in her life. Only two of those times were in Angwin. Charlotte and Ralph have lived in Angwin for 53 years.

Charlotte is survived by her husband Ralph, her 4 daughters, Connie, Terry, Jackie and Gerry; her sons-in laws, Edward, John and Jeff; her 8 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. Charlotte embodied all of the attributes of a perfect Mom. She was the ultimate matriarch of her family - caring, thoughtful, hardworking, compassionate, loyal and fun. She was loved. She created and left so many memories in our minds, that she will not, and cannot be forgotten by her family. Charlotte was the epitome of "Mother" and will leave a huge hole in the hearts of each family member that can never be filled.

Charlotte's family will miss her so much, and can hardly wait for the day when they will see her again in the earth made new.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

A memorial service will be held for Charlotte, on Sabbath, January 12, 2013 at 4 p.m. at Pacific Union College Seventh Day Adventist Church, in Scales Chapel.

Condolences may be left at this site, or sent to Ralph Sherman and the Family at P.O. Box 3, Angwin, CA 94508