Charlie, we had some great times in Okinawa. You had my back a few times, as well as laying down the law when I needed it. You were a great grandmother to my boys Cyrus and Thaddeus. You will be missed.

Charlie: Words cannot describe what I am feeling right now. My heart aches and is broken for your family but at the same time I rejoice because I know your pain has ceased and you're with our Lord Jesus Christ. You welcomed my children and I into your family and showed us unconditional love. We shared many private conversations and you lent an ear when all I needed was an ear. I still have the cookbook you gave and dedicated to me.  I wish I was there to hold your hand when you took your last breath but I wasn't. I love you, Charlie, and always will.  I will never forget you...ever.

Charlie, you were always there for me and I will never forget you for that.  Wish I would have stayed intouch with you.  Will love you alway,
Linnie Forehand, Converse, Texas

Dear Charlie,
The Air Force brought us together and the Air Force kept us apart, but some of my favorite memories are the summers in Okinawa I spent with you.  You will be greatly missed.
Love,
Your stepdaughter,

Mama’s Eulogy - “Living the Dash”
By: Carl Jimmie Berghofer 

To:  Sharlan K. “Charlie” Brown
DOB:  November 28, 1949
Del City, Oklahoma
-
Died: March 4, 2010
Cibolo, Texas (60 years old)

Mother:  Joyce “Lanford” / “Cook” – Van Dyke
Father: Cleo Cook
Step Father: Jimmie Van Dyke
Sister: Kim Kersey

Husband:  Robert W. Brown
Sister n Law: Susan Brown

Children:  Carl Jimmie Berghofer (1969), Mikel Vincent Berghofer (1971), and Sherieta Joyce Berghofer (1974).  
Step Children:  Denise “Brown” Gates, and Clifford Brown.
Foster Son:  Paul Adams.

10 grandchildren

In a sermon I once heard pastor explain the dash.

The dash is the little mark you see on a head stone that fills in the “portion of some one’s life” between when they were born and when they died.

This eulogy is to fill in that dash of life she spent here before going on into eternity with our Father God.

So what can I say about Mama to fill in that dash? 

A few years ago, Mama was in terrible pain in her back and muscles, she started seeking help to manage the pain.  She ended up taking medication to help the pain go away, but ultimately those medications took their toll on her body.  Pain began to become her demon as its hurt worse and worse throughout the years.

She didn’t know had to deal with the pain.

We, as children wanted her to undergo treatment in the hopes of having Mama become well and pain free, hoping to find alternative ways to deal with the pain.  She even got a device implanted into her hip to help control the back spasms, and injections at the Doctors to reduce pressure in the vertebrae.

I remember that Mama took everything calmly. 

In a few short years, we witnessed how her health had deteriorated.  But her spirit was always there.  She would always say that I will get well soon and finish the things around the house.  She called that home on FM 78 her dream home, and would someday have a pool, for all the grand children to play in and a place for families to BBQ.

But, what we could do to make her as comfortable as possible during the last few years of her life?

Well I got her to go back to the church and reaffirm her love for our Father in heaven.  I know she had written words in her notes about her love for the Father’s healing powers.  I truly think this was giving her the hope she needed.  “Lord, please relinquish my pain.”

By reading these notes I truly know she believed in Christ as her savior, and knew she was heaven bound.

On her last days with us, I believe she spent the night praying for Bob.   She had a chance to lie down on the bed and spoke with her husband.  I think in a way she wanted to be at peace with things between her and Bob, and assure Bob that she did truly love him, but she knew it was time to go peacefully.

Everyone here and some that are not, and even some that have gone before her have had some of the good times that “Charlie” left in you and we would have to agree that our “Charlie” was always special to us.

Christmas and Thanksgiving Day was a big deal for her in our family, with all of the kids coming home to see “Charlie” and “Bob”, from places as far as Washington, San Diego, Lubbock, New Mexico, Florida, and Georgia, we would all drive to be at home for the holidays each year, and eat dinner as a family.  Family always came first.

Some of my favorite moments were those holidays.  Even ones when she started to deteriorate.  We will always have a special “Charlie” moment that would involve those Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays.

She would cook up a storm, ready to feed an army.  And an army would show up!  An army of our relatives, and you knew she would have plenty of leftovers for days to come.  She often made her family favorite recipes that have been with her family for many years. 

As an adult, I realize now just how hard she would work during the holidays to make those days special for us. I know each of us children has happy memories of the holidays in our own way.

“Charlie’s” spirited nature was very present in her throughout her battle with pain.  She often seemed more concerned about other people than she was about herself.

All she ever wanted is for her children to be happy, and to be a grandmother.  I would like to think that when I had a little girl she finally got the dream she wanted from me the most. 

But, right up until the very end she wanted to help her family.  She told me I could borrow the truck, because I had fallen on financial hardship following my divorce.  She said “I love you son and I always will, and that if you need something you can have it.  

She truly knew that things of this world where not her own.

Not a moment goes by when I don’t miss you “Momma”.   In so many ways you have shaped the person I am today. 

Thank you for always being there.  

I’ll carry your memory in my heart forever and I know your life meant something through my actions and achieved dreams.

Everyone who knew “Charlie” thought she was a special person. You only have to look around this room today to realize some of the very important lives that she touched. But what some don’t realize is that Mom was like this with everyone she met. Everyone was special and important in her eyes. Everyone had a special value. That was one of the reasons I know that so many will miss her – as she has changed and shaped many lives.

Her unconditional love and dedication will never be forgotten by those whose lives she touched in so many ways.

“To Those I Love and To Those Who Love Me”
When I am gone,
Release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears;
Be happy we had so many years.
I give you my love,
You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love
You have shown me;
But now it’s time I travel alone.
So grieve a while for me,
If grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away for life goes on.
So if you need me,
Call me and I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart,
You’ll hear
All my love around you,
Soft and clear.
And when you must come this way along,
I’ll greet you with a Smile,
And “Welcome Home”.

This is the poem that has inspired me and hopefully you here today to go on with our lives.
I know that as I read this, we can feel Mama listening with us, comforting us, living in us. Mama, this is the one true memory you left that we will cherish, until we meet again.

You’re heaven bound now.

Romans 6-4 “Though we are buried through baptism in to death in order that, just as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  Romans 6-4

Love Always,

Carl Jimmie Berghofer

I spent a lot of time at your home in highschool and I will always remember how you welcomed me with open arms and a loving heart... My heart goes out to your family and friends during this time of grief... May your spirit live on forever!

Dearest Grandmother,
Alys will be to young to remember but I will always make sure that she always knows you. Now that you are an angel in heaven, please watch over your angel grandchildren on earth. I never stopped considering you my Mother in law, I only wish that there had been more time to see you enyoy Alys. 
Heaven has a new angel.


Love,
Deby & Alys

You were not only my mom but you were a mother to all who knew you. You will be missed and never forgotten.

Charlie-mom, you were always there for us "kids" no matter what.  You never had to bail us out of jail and we have a lot of happy memories.  I love you and will miss you always.

Little did we know that on March 4th
That God was going to call Charlie's name
In life we loved you dearly 
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you
You did not go alone
For part of us went with you
The day that God called Charlie home
You left us with beautiful memories
your love is still our guide
And thought we can not see you
You will always be by our side
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seams the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.

Shery, AJ and Myself  Will Miss You. God Bless You Charlie Mom, Your Were Loved Very Much.

God Bless You Charlie Mom, Your were love very much.

Dear Sis..
What can or do I say? I know you are laughing at me because I can't think of anything to say right now.  I just want you to know that I know that we may have been far apart in age and sometimes even in distance but, know that you were never far from my heart. I am so thankful that we have gotten to really know each other as sisters the past 20 years. We went through a lot with the loss of our sweet daddy and dear brother. But, I know that you are up in heaven with them both and with your precious mom Joyce and I know without a doubt in my mind that I will be with all of you once again. 
I love you sis and I am going to miss you but, I will always and forever keep our memories not only in my mind but, in my heart.

OBITUARY

Sharlan "Charlie" Kay Brown

November 28, 1949 – March 4, 2010

Colonial Funeral Home

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