grave import

Obituary

Charlotte Ann Weldon went home to be with the Lord on January 25, 2014 surrounded by her loving family and friends after a brave battle with cancer. She was the widow of Horace T. Weldon. Charlotte was born in Burlington, Iowa on November 30, 1921 to Jake L. Nelson and Mildred (Griggs) Nelson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her only brother Lewis N. Nelson, her grandson Jeffrey Williams and her first husband, Harold A. Buckner.Charlotte attended public school in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School in 1939. She took courses at the Burlington School of Business. She worked at the Hotel Burlington, the Iowa Ordnance Plant as a government secretary and retired as office manager at Automatic Vending Company after 45 years. She was an outreach worker for the 2000 Census and assisted AARP at the Iowa State Fair. She was a life-long member of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school, was Sunday School Superintendent for the local church, was a Youth counselor at Camp Baber, and served as District Sunday School Superintendent. Charlotte was a member of the Julia Folk Missionary Society, directed the Youth Choir and served on the Usher Board. She was a faithful member of her church and attended services regularly until her health declined. Sis. Charlotte A. Weldon, PGWM was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Sis. Weldon, PGWM was a member of St. Elmo Chapter #3, O.E.S, PHA, State of Iowa & Jurisdiction for 68 years, Past Grand Worthy Matron, Electa Grand Chapter O.E.S, Prince Hall Affiliation State of Iowa and Jurisdiction. Sis. Weldon, PGWM helped establish the Mary Major Scholarship Fund, and was one of the founders of the Sickle Cell Foundation for Electa Grand Chapter. Sis. Weldon, PGWM was a Past Grand Royal Matron of the Iowa Grand Court Royal Exalted Order of Amaranth. Sis. Charlotte A. Weldon, PGWM was appointed the first chairperson representing the State of Iowa for the Midwest Regional Conference of Grand Chapters and Eastern Stars, which consists of 11 states in 1982 at the 34th Conference. Her civic activities included being a founding member of the Burlington Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and former secretary of the Human Rights Commission in Burlington. She was a member of the Burlington Secretarial Association. Charlotte was truly a good and humble Christian woman. She prayed and studied her Bible daily. She encouraged all her family and friends and only wanted the best for them. Whether she was called Gran, Grams or Fa-Fa, she was always there to give her support and her love. But she was not afraid to tell us when we weren't on the right path because she loved us. Even though she was short in stature, Charlotte carried herself with a dignity that was respected and admired by all. Due to that, she will always be remembered as a lady. Charlotte leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories her daughters, Sherri Alston (Washington, DC), Carolyn Buckner (Burlington, IA); her stepdaughter, Shirley Carter (Carson, CA); her nephew, Lewis Nelson, Jr. (Oakland, CA), her grandsons, Albert Brooks, Jason Alston, step grandsons, Neil Carter, William Carter, Mark Carter, Craig Carter; great grandchildren, Josalynne Williams, Jayln Williams, Christian Brooks, Isabella Brooks, Alexander Brooks, Jaysheia Enyard, Jayla Alston, Jalon Gary-Alston; great-great grandchildren, Elijah Mitchell, and Kacen Martin. Other surviving relatives include brother-in-law, Raymond (Betty) Weldon (Keokuk, IA); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be missed, but we are comforted in knowing that she is with Jesus and we will see her again along with our Father in Heaven.Funeral services for Charlotte Ann Weldon will be held on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Prugh's Chapel. Pastor JudyAnn Morse will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice House. The family will receive friends in Prugh's Chapel one hour prior to the service. The Eastern Star service will start at 11:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service. Following the graveside committal service, family and friends will gather at the Masonic Temple for a repast.