Charlotte Vera Hinkle

Charlotte was born June 29, 1939, in Denver, CO, to Randall and Vera Guy. She was the second of 7 children—Charlene, Janice, George, and James with Randall Guy, and Michael, and Mickie Lee with Bob Amerine. She grew up in Ogalalla, NE, where her lifetime of nurturing and caregiving began by helping her mother with the younger siblings. It was in Nebraska where she met the love of her life, Jimmie L. Hinkle. They married January 30, 1955, and moved to Strasburg, CO where they welcomed their first son, Jimmie Michael, on April 25, 1955. The new family then moved to Littleton, CO, where they welcomed their second son, Jefferie Wayne, on April 30, 1961. Charlotte always loved John Wayne, and almost named her son after him, but to Jeff’s later relief, they decided not to. She always wore her jeans cuffed at the ankle because “if it was good enough for John Wayne, it was good enough for me.” A few months after Jeff’s birth, they bought their first and only home on Logan and Union in Englewood, CO. On December 13, 1966, the family was complete when they welcomed their only daughter, Dawn Michelle. Charlotte and her family had many ups and downs in that house on Logan Street. She spent most of her time taking care of her family and garden, with a deep affection for growing roses, and throwing many parties and celebrations for family, and for Jimmie and his crew from the “county”, Arapahoe County Road & Bridge. In 1987, they suffered a devastating loss with the death of their oldest son, Jimmie or “Jimper”, from which she would never fully recover. In 1988, Charlotte’s mother, who lived in California, passed. Upon Vera’s death, Charlotte’s caring nature came into play again when she stepped up and took over full-time care of her mentally disabled sister, Janice, and brought her to live with her and Jimmie in Colorado. She would be her sister’s primary caregiver until Janice passed in 2011. The Hinkle family added another member when Jeff met Penny, then proposed 3 weeks later, and much to Charlotte’s chagrin, married 11 months later in 1991. But you can’t fight “Young Love”. Out of that union would produce the greatest joy in Charlotte’s life. In 1994, the birth of her first grandchild, Angela Marie, or “Missy” as Gramma liked to call her. The family grew again when Dawn met Kevin and they married in 1996. Charlotte and Jimmie shared 43 years of marriage before he became ill in 1997. She devotedly took care of him and spent 24 hours a day for a solid week by his bedside before he passed in their house on Logan Street in 1998. Unfortunately he was not there to share with her the welcoming of their final two grandchildren, Michael James and Zachary Charles, in 2003. Charlotte had a pillow in her house that said “If I knew how much fun grandchildren were, I would have had them first!” Her grandchildren were her everything. She spent so much time visiting them at school, going to every performance and play, and every family birthday dinner for those grandkids.

For being a small woman in size, Charlotte made up for it in her strong personality. Everyone knew you didn’t cross Charlotte. While making sure everyone was taken care of, she was not shy about letting you know if you were not doing things “right”. That strong personality had her involved in local politics by helping to get votes for Arapahoe County Commissioners. She was also the member of a Birthday Club with female friends who got together just to celebrate each other’s birthdays. When Jeff was in the Marine’s, she was famous for her lack of baking skills. No one in his platoon wanted to help Jeff eat mom’s cookies.

It was her caring nature that took her back to Nebraska in 2000 to care for Jimmie’s cousin, Leo. But it was her daughter’s diagnosis with uterine cancer that brought her back to CO in 2009. Fortunately, Dawn is now a cancer survivor, but unfortunately, Charlotte’s health was declining at the same time, and she would begin her own treatment shortly after. She was a strong person all the way through her illness by surpassing the doctor’s original prognosis of 1-2 years. She lived and fought for 7 more years. She was always proud of raising a strong family, and they remain close and were by her side until the end.

Charlotte is survived by her children Jeff (Penny) Hinkle of Aurora, CO, and Dawn (Kevin) Chardavoyne of Englewood, CO. Her grandchildren Angie Hinkle, Michael Hinkle, and Zach Hinkle all of Aurora, CO. Her siblings Charlene Kennedy of North Platte, Nebraska, George Guy of Westminster, CO, and Michael Amerine and Mickie Lee Sanchez of California.

She is preceded in death by both her parents and Jimmie L. Hinkle-1998, her son Jimmie M. Hinkle-1987, her siblings Jim Amerine-2003 and Janice Guy-2011.

Charlotte’s wishes were to have a small service for family only. Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren--Angie, Michael, and Zach. She will spend eternity by her husband’s side at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery. Her family would like to welcome everyone to Charlotte’s house, 4700 S. Logan, Englewood, CO, at 12:30 pm on Sunday, August 6 to celebrate Charlotte’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Charlotte’s name to any of the three causes that affected her life deeply—Any Veteran’s Association, American Cancer Society, and American Heart Association.

The family would like to express deep thanks to Dr. Christopher Lang and his entire office staff, especially his nurses Sara and Ami. Also to the Denver Hospice who enabled her to remain at home and assisted Dawn in keeping her comfortable. They would also like to send their heartfelt thanks to all the family and friends who provided Charlotte, Jeff, and Dawn their prayers and support during this time.

“For Those I Love and Those Who Love Me”

When I am gone, release me, let me go

I have so many things to see and do.

Please don’t tie yourself to me with tears

Just be happy we had so many years.

I thank you for the love you each have shown

Now it’s time I traveled on alone.

It’s only for a while that we must part

Bless the memories that lie within your heart.

I won’t be far away for life goes on

So if you need me, call and I will come

Though you won’t see me, or touch me

I’ll be near.

And if you listen with your heart you will hear

All my love around you soft and clear

Then when you must come this way alone…

I’ll greet you with a smile and say,

“Welcome Home”

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.