Charlotte Ann Smith Brennan, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, left to join her Savior on October 11th at home after suffering from Primary Progressive Aphasia for twelve years. Charlotte was known for her love, her whistle, and her bun. Child of God, daughter, sister, wife, Mommie, and Grandmama were some of the most important titles in her life. Maybe you saw Charlotte when she was climbing trees and sounding the call of the neighborhood kids or hosting the garden club with china, silver, and crystal. Perhaps she was buzzing around in her VW convertible delivering meals on wheels or leading the Girl Scouts in Christmas carols at the nursing home. Did you see her knocking the snot out of a softball or singing songs of God’s goodness over her grandbabies? You might recall her seeing the purpose in discarded items on the curb or gawking over beautiful architecture around the globe. Many witnessed her running a tight family budget with bargains and discounts or lavishly giving out of her generous heart. Maybe you saw her fearless approach to animals, water skiing, traveling the world, riding a motorbike, hot air balloon rides, fast cars, new cuisine, potential friends, or her nurturing, patient touch with plants, children, and those in need.
Charlotte loved all. She loved people, plants, animals, art, and Jesus. Charlotte was a perfect companion to Bobby, always helping him in every way physically and spiritually. She was an excellent mother and sibling. Part of her love of people includes her years as a successful coordinator for high school foreign exchange students, placing about 100 in loving homes in Alabama per year, and personally hosting 15 international students who became USA Brennan children forever. Charlotte loved everything God created, such as nature, plants, and creatures. Even though she was once bitten by a venomous snake in her garden, she did not let fear stop her from reaching down and picking up other snakes. The call, “Can I get a volunteer?”, rarely went unanswered as she helped with VBS, coordinated Church Bazaars, hosted youth Bible studies, saved lives through blood donations, led water aerobics, participated in clinical brain studies, and more.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Carrol Smith and Betty Smith. She is survived by her husband Robert G Brennan of Auburn after 58 years of marriage; her daughters Patricia Brennan Stevenson (John), and Shannan Brennan Wyatt (Don); siblings Linda Smith Finney, Pamela Smith Merritt, and Neal Smith (Pam); Grandchildren Sarah Stevenson Williford (Carson), Emily Stevenson, Andrew Stevenson (Emma), Caroline Wyatt, and Abigail Wyatt, as well as sisters and brothers-in-love, Elaine, Barbara (Danny), Susan (Bob), Jimmy (Linda), Grey (Paula), Cindy (Gen), and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The international family includes Dagmar from Germany, Esther from Spain, Sevina from the Netherlands, Ximena from Guatemala, Paula from Brazil, Jeannette from Germany, Carlos from Brazil, Eduardo from Brazil, Julian from Columbia, Marian from Germany, Daniel from Brazil, Guido from Italy, Eric from France, Angela from Columbia, and Fabio from Brazil.
The Caregiver family includes Kae, Jana, Christine, Colotta, Breanna, Katie, Bobbie, Cornetta, Shanndora, Arnita, and others.
A Celebration of Life service will be in the Auburn UMC sanctuary, 137 South Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama at 2:00 on Friday, October 18 with visitation prior, at 1:00, and graveside after at the Town Creek Cemetery 1150 South Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama 36832.
Some of Charlotte's favorite charities were the Auburn Wesley Foundation, Alabama Rural Ministry, Montgomery Area Council on Aging, and Auburn UMC Food Pantry.
Posted online on October 16, 2024
Published in Montgomery Advertiser
https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/obituaries/ptus0972596?sfnsn=mo