Charlene Faye Goodwin Meyers, 93, of Doyline, La., transitioned into eternal rest, surrounded by family in her home,on December 23, 2024.
Charlene exuded a deep love and compassion for those around her. She was also a thrill-seeker! Immediately after her death, family and friends shared stories of her love of roller coasters, bear chasing and hiking in the Smokey Mountains, some of her favorite activities.
Born of Jay and Louella Goodwin, Charlene was the youngest of eight siblings (all deceased). In her adolescence, Charlene would climb tall pine trees with her siblings and friends, play basketball, and briefly took piano lessons at her neighbor’s house down the road, a luxury in a post-depression America.
A natural and professional caregiver, Charlene’s career was defined by 54 years of nursing. Soon after high school, sheattended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Vicksburg, Miss., from which she was graduated in 1953. She then returned to Louisiana and worked in surgery at Confederate Memorial Hospital (now Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport). She then worked as an office nurse for Doctors Van Horn and McIntyre Bridges. She was also an industrial nurse at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant and worked in public health at the Webster Parish Health Unit for 15 years. In 1980, she was awarded Louisiana State Nurse of the Year. After retiring from the Health Unit, Charlene worked for Minden Hospital Home Health until 1997.
Charlene raised three children, Bobby (deceased), Dennis, and JiAnne. At reunions and family gatherings, her children would often laugh as they shared stories of love and adventure, remembering their childhood home on Bonnie Lane.
In October of 1981, Charlene met Richard “Rick” Meyers; they were married in February of 1982. For more than 40 years they resided at their home in Minden, and hosted various Rooke, Garden Club, and holiday parties for family and friends they met at church. Charlene and Rick shared a deep and faithful love throughout the remainer of her life.
At their home on Jess Easley Trail, “Dogwood Acre”, Charlene was happiest tending to her yard and garden, which was a lush display of hand-sodded grass, a plethora of dogwood trees, and two rows of zinnias and marigolds in the garden, which she planted every year. Her love of gardening served as a grand metaphor for the care she provided to friends and family alike throughout her life.
Most notably, Charlene helped to care for her grandchildren, Jason, Michael, and Devin, who revere her as the matriarch of the family. In addition, and well into her adult life, Charlene cared for a multitude of siblings and friends, with whom she frequently visited. As friends and family passed, she found new avenues of caregiving, sending more than 8,000 (often hand-embossed) cards as a way of ministering to those in need of love and support.
Charlene always made sure her home was filled with delight. During the holidays, she would position more than 100 Santa Claus figurines around the house and decorate almost every room with a unique Christmas tree. She cooked squash dressing on more than 100 occasions, hid hundreds of Easter eggs throughout the years, and shelled thousands of purple hull peas from the garden, which she would distribute to neighbors and friends.
In addition to those mentioned above, Charlene leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
In death, Charlene’s family and friends will remember her bright smile, loving demeanor, kind spirit and quiet (often witty) commentary.
Charlene’s family would like to extend a special thanks to friends and family who have visited throughout the years, staff and CNAs at Montclair Park Assisted Living, and staff at Lifepath Hospice, especially Allison, all of whom have become family.
Services will be held at First Baptist Minden shortly after Christmas (Charlene’s favorite holiday). To honor her memory, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to extend care to someone special in her honor.