Charlotte Harvey Gilchrist

Charlotte Harvey Gilchrist, 83, passed away November 18 in her home. She was born in Monticello, Ga. on November 25, 1931, to the late Charles Davis Harvey and Ruby Duke Harvey.

She was born in and grew up in the historic Reese home in Monticello. Life was simple there; she and her sister walked to and from school, walked home for lunch and played in the street (Hwy. 16) at night. Church was mandatory; twice on Sunday and every Wednesday night. Her father ran a shoe repair shop while her mother cared for the children and the home.

After graduating from Monticello High School and Georgia State college for Women (GSCW), she went to Griffin in 1953 to teach at Third Ward Elementary. She married Thomas G. “Gil” Gilchrist in 1955, and gave birth to their only child, Margaret Day, in 1963.

In addition to her years at Third Ward Elementary, she taught at Griffin Academy, Crescent Elementary and East Griffin Elementary until her retirement. She loved her students and her students loved and respected her. She had been a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1955 where she taught children’s Sunday school for many years, and was a past president of the Joy Class.

She was also a past president of the Griffin Utility Club.

Charlotte was adventurous and loved to travel. She visited many states, including California, Alaska and Hawaii, and traveled abroad to England, Scotland, Wales, the Bahamas, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Japan and China.

Charlotte was a sweet, beautiful lady of the south; a loving mother and a faithful wife, who handled her slow demise from Alzheimer’s with courage and dignity. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Sue is survived by her husband of 59 years, Gil Gilchrist; daughter, Margaret Gilchrist Wilson; grandchildren, Megan Marie Armour, Anne Thomas Armour, Charles P. “C.J.” Armour, Jr., and a sister, Daisy Harvey Smith of Griffin, as well as a nephew, James J. “Jim” Smith of Griffin and niece, Mrs. Dexter Manning (Claire) of Peachtree City.

The family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.