Charlotte Elaine Whitesides

Charlotte Elaine Watts Whitesides McFarlin, widow of Gene McFarlin, was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1946.  She was the daughter of Fred and Lisbeth Watts, both deceased.   Charlotte leaves behind a loving family: a daughter, Marsha Mayo; two sisters, Shirley Blanton and Phyllis Senor; a Cousin, Deborah Kirkpatrick; two wonderful brothers- in- laws, Tom Senor and Dennis Kirkpatrick, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She also leaves many friends and neighbors who have been with her and helped her over the years. Her family is very grateful for the help and support of these people.

Charlotte graduated from Hillcrest High School in Dallas and immediately joined the workforce.  Charlotte was very gifted in mathematics and office management.  She had a way with people that caused them to trust her.  Indeed, she was a very trustworthy person with high ethics and with a sense of what was just and right.  Her math skills allowed her to be employed for many years in office management and in the comptroller’s office of several Dallas businesses. Charlotte worked extremely hard all her life. Creative as well as intelligent, Charlotte was also skilled with a needle and thread.  My children had Halloween costumes made by her and my mantel is adorned at Christmas with beautiful, hand-done stockings—one for every member of the family. She made stockings and tree skirts for both of her sisters’ families.

Charlotte was active in Camp Fire Girls when Marsha, her daughter was young.  This activity led to Charlotte’s wanting a place to raise and rehabilitate horses.  To that end, she brought property in Mt. Vernon, Texas, and traveled from there to Dallas for work.  Her farm, as it is called, was home to many horses and dogs and cats—all of whom were strays or had been abused.  Charlotte had one of the kindest hearts both for people and especially for animals. My family will never forget the number of times we visited her farm for July 4 celebrations, swam in the tank, fed the giant catfish, and enjoyed wonderful family time. She knew how to throw a party and how to cope with a mob of relatives!

Charlotte was a faithful Methodist all her life and took John Wesley’s admonition to do all the good you can, for as long as you can to heart and lived it daily.  Her life was not easy, especially the last few years. She experienced some terrible losses in her life, but she never quit or gave up and stayed hopeful and positive. She always worked hard – no matter if it was for an employer or for her dream home in Mt. Vernon. She kept on keeping on for as long as she could.  She was blessed to have neighbors and friends in Mt. Vernon who helped her, especially when she could no longer live at home and take care of her animals or her property.  She will be missed.  Her life touched and helped many people. Truly an unforgettable person.

The family would like to thank the caregivers and physical therapists and doctors who helped Charlotte over the past five years and worked to make her life better.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Texas on January 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home. 

www.samharveyfuneralhome.com

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