of Fox, AR
August 17, 1934 - December 22, 2021
Charlene Joan Graham Carr, of Fox, departed this life on December 22, 2021. She was born August 17, 1934 in St. Albans, West Virginia, to John and Marjorie (Ojala) Graham. She grew up in a house overlooking the Coal River, the fourth of six children. Her dad insisted that his kids learn how to swim. He attached a rope around the girls and tossed them in the river while the boys were secured by a chain. It worked. They all learned to swim. Charlene loved to swim, from the Coal River, to her own pool while her grandchildren were young, to the Hart Center at Fairfield Bay in her retirement years.
Charlene met the love of her life, Paul Carr, at the roller-skating rink in St. Albans. As he told it, she was impressed by the way he skated so skillfully with his shirt blowing in the wind. They married in 1953 and had four children: Derek, Joan, Philip, and Peter. As a young couple, Charlene and Paul joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They lived near Macon, Georgia, for a few years and were given permission to hold church in their own home when there was no church nearby. That started a lifetime of dedicated service. Charlene served in many capacities including president of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations, music leader, gospel doctrine teacher, family history center director, primary teacher, temple worker, and even branch clerk for Paul while he served as branch president.
While living in Georgia and a young mom, Charlene attended Tift College to earn her Bachelor's degree in Education. Her first few years teaching in Georgia were during the time of integration. She earned her students' trust by playing ball with them at recess. After moving to Fox, Arkansas, Charlene first worked as a Head Start teacher at Timbo. A few years later she became the first Kindergarten teacher at Rural Special School where she would spend the rest of her career. Mrs. Carr loved teaching and her students. She liked to tell the parents of her students, ''I won't believe what they say about you, if you won't believe what they say about me!'' Charlene's humorous experiences with her kindergarten students would later provide content for a speech titled ''The Young and the Restless'' that she delivered at a competition of Toastmasters International where she won 1st place at local and regional levels and 2nd at international.
Charlene adored her grandchildren and they adored her. She loved to travel with her daughter, Joan, and was a talented baker with a flair for pies. She also made recipes passed down by her Finnish mother and grandmother. She challenged herself to learn and kept her mind sharp by memorizing passages of scripture. After becoming a widow, Charlene served a volunteer mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. She welcomed those who entered the Family History Library with her trademark friendly greeting. She especially enjoyed singing with the Elijah Choir.
Charlene was a faithful follower of Christ and endeared herself to family and friends with her positive, happy, and helpful disposition.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marjorie Graham; husband, Paul Carr; son, Derek Carr; brothers, Bobby Graham and Johnnie Bill Graham.
Survivors are a brother, Donald Graham; sisters Barbara Givens and Lucille Pace; daughter, Joan Thomson; sons, Philip (Renee) Carr, and Peter Carr; grandsons, Derek (Brittani) Carr, Hunter (Emily) Carr, Weston Carr, Graham Carr, Robert Thomson and a granddaughter, Madison Carr; great-grandchildren Ellison Carr, Angalee Carr, and Zane Carr.
Services are scheduled for Monday, December 27 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 612 S. Peabody St. (Highway 9) Mountain View, Arkansas with visitation from 9-9:45am and service at 10am. Branch President Jason Morriss presiding with Micah Woods offering the message. Burial at Fox Cemetery with dedication of the grave by Joel Dunlap Sr. and music by Blaylock female descendants. Pallbearers: Derek Carr, Hunter Carr, Weston Carr, Graham Carr, Robert Thomson, Doug Daniel, Brandon Sutterfield, Caden Harper.
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28 Condolence(s)
Alice Chambers
Monday, January 10, 2022
Charlene was a wonderful lady. We participated in water exercise together and TOPS. She was a beautiful person and will be missed.
Verna Hicks
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
So sorry to hear of Charlene's passing. She was a very sweet and thoughtful lady that I knew from the TOPS Chapter and the Hart Center here in Fairfield Bay. Charlene would always stop and chat for a moment when we met. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Ron and Jane Sharp
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
What sweet memories we have of Charlene and Paul. They were always kind and gracious to us during our church visits to Mountain Home. What a choice blessing it would have been to be a student in her kindergarten class.
Howard and Kay Edwards
Monday, December 27, 2021
Charlene will forever remain in our thoughts. She was always ready to help anyone, who was in need. She and Paul are now reunited for all time and eternity.
Howard and Kay Edwards
Monday, December 27, 2021
Paul and Charlene had a wonderful love affair their entire lives and it will continue eternally. They are back together again and are with their son, who passed this life as a result of an accident many years ago. Charlene was always ready to be of service to anyone who needed it in her family, her church and in her community. Yes we will all miss her but her love and generosity will always remain with us.
Jay and Judy Berry
Sunday, December 26, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers for the family.
Beverly Blackmon Trice
Sunday, December 26, 2021
Joan, so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I will be praying for you and your family.
Anthel and Carol Rushing
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Our heartfelt sympathy for such a deep loss.
Darrell Edward Carr & Ruth A Sampson Carr
Saturday, December 25, 2021
To all those who knew and loved Charlene, we extent our heartfelt condolences. She was as fine a person as we have ever known. A beautiful person, inside and out. She will be greatly missed,
We take pride in her family and her accomplishments. Her family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Much Love, Darrell Carr (brother-in-law)
Ruth Carr (sister-in-law)
Rowdy and Carrie Ross
Saturday, December 25, 2021
So sorry for your loss. We have great memories with Mrs. Carr. Praying for your family.
Roger Hosman
Saturday, December 25, 2021
I enjoyed the Sundays and any other gathering ... as I was always welcomed and a hand shake by Sis Carr.... she made me smile. Hoping I'll live well enough to see her on the other side. Shes been a great example to me of our SAVIOR and his love.
LaTrisha Blair
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Truly a remarkable woman. She was such a beautiful lady inside and out. I know that she will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Sandy Spoor
Friday, December 24, 2021
Prayers for you and the family. Sorry for your loss.
Donald Graham
Friday, December 24, 2021
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Charlene Carr. We are so blessed that she crossed our path on her journey. Being her brother, she would often say, "Donald, don't you ever forget Aug. 17 because that's MY birthday!" All these years, I didn't forget, and I never will. I'm thankful we had a nice long phone chat on Dec. 16. The smile in her voice still lingers!
Mary Hartman
Friday, December 24, 2021
The Carr Family has always carried a special place in my heart! Charlene was truly a blessed woman my thoughts and prayers are with her family!!â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»
Ronda West
Friday, December 24, 2021
Charlene was a beautiful, loving, lady who touched so many lives and was a wonderful gift to all of us who knew her. Prayers of comfort for this wonderful family.
Melisha Rodgers
Friday, December 24, 2021
Sweet Lady! Prayers for your family.
Melisha Rodgers
Joyce Akers
Friday, December 24, 2021
My deepest sympathy, she had such a big heart.
Rebecca Pace
Friday, December 24, 2021
My aunt Charlene was a very special loving caring person. She always had a positive attitude and enjoyed life. Till we meet again aunt Charlene know you are loved and missed.
Tammy McElroy
Thursday, December 23, 2021
My heart goes out to whole family on your loss. Charlene was such a remarkable woman with a heart of gold. I loved spending time with her when we got to sew together. She always had a smile on her face and a willingness to help others. Charlene will be missed by many.
Marilyn L Seaton
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Mrs. Carr was all four of my children's kindergarten teacher. She was an outstanding role model and very dedicated to her work. My children all loved her and I know that she had a positive impact on numerous students throughout here career. I never saw her without a smile and she was always glad to stop and chat a while. Prayers for her children and family to be comforted by happy memories of her.
Lisa Faye
Thursday, December 23, 2021
I have such fond memories of Charlene and her joyful disposition. My mom was her aid when she started out teaching kindergarten at Fox and we often road to school together in those early years. I remember loading up in her Volkswagen Beetle (which I thought was the coolest car ever at the time) and being drawn in by her easy laughter during conversation.
I last saw her 5 years ago at Mom's surprise 70th birthday party. Charlene was still the sunny person I'd remembered from my youth and I'm so glad she was able to come and celebrate with us.
Sending prayers to the family.
Bob and Donna Brown
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Charlene was a wonderful person who made everyone who knew her better. She will be greatly missed. Condolences and love to the family.
Shelly Carney
Thursday, December 23, 2021
So very sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort.
Stan and Sandy Ackerman
Thursday, December 23, 2021
So sorry for your loss. We will always remember Charlene’s phone calls to Mom after Dad passed. I would call and mom’s line would be busy for over an hour, she was talking to Charlene. Mother would be laughing when she answered the phone, she loved talking with Charlene. We could always count on Charlene’s calls to brighten Mom’s day, I’ll bet they have some long talks in Heaven!
Rich & Kim Paul
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Sending our love and sincerest condolences to all our family in AR. We have nothing but the fondest memories of Aunt Charlene. Such a wonderful, warm, and kind lady. We know she'll be missed by many.
Jay and Judy Berry
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Our deepest sympathy for the family.
Martha Holland
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Mrs. Carr was my kindergarten teacher and a fine lady.