CHARLEAN D. HAUGHTON

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE GIVE TO YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY IN MEMORY MRS. HAUGHTON.

On April 13, 1941, Charlean Dortch was born to Herman Dortch and Stella Mae Sanders Dortch Gilmore in Yazoo County, Mississippi. Her parents, brothers Harold Dortch, Eddie Dortch, sister Bessie Dortch, and sister-in-law Myrna Haughton and brother-in-law, Robert T. White preceded her in death.

A Life of Service:

Charlean (Mom) began her earthly journey in Mississippi. Her mother, Mrs. Stella Gilmore, moved her and her siblings from Yazoo County to Jackson, where she was educated in the Jackson Public School System and graduated from Jim Hill High School in 1961. After high school, she attended Campbell College, earning her Associate of Arts in Education in May 1963.

Shortly after her future husband returned to Mississippi from Allen University, they began dating. While he was stationed in California, he orchestrated a unique proposal: Rev. G.R. Haughton, her pastor and Dad’s father, presented her with an engagement ring from the Pearl St. AME Church pulpit. She was shocked and delighted. They were married on August 11, 1963, beginning a 59-year marriage rooted in faith and family.

Charlean and her husband left Mississippi shortly after marrying, and were stationed in South Carolina, California, Texas, Guam, and Kansas. Charlean dedicated many years to education, serving as an aide in Texas, a substitute teacher in Guam, and later as a Vision Program Assistant in the North Side Independent School District, San Antonio, TX  where she specialized in Braille. She was a member of the National Braille Association.

As they moved to new assignments, they ensured their daughters, Annette and Tanya, were settled into school and church as quickly as possible, encouraging them to follow their example. They welcomed young people into their home and provided a listening ear.

Charlean loved to sew, sharing that love with others, including Annette and Tanya (Tanya took to it the best). She used her seamstress skills to help others, often making or fixing their clothes. She also created beautiful quilts, continuing to refine her skills through quilting classes in recent years.

Because Charlean and her husband chose to live and retire in Texas, their extended family remained close through summer visits, holiday gatherings, and family reunions. Nicholas and Keara spent summers with their grandparents, developing a special bond. Charlean encouraged them often and expressed her deep love for them. They were her pride and joy. She had the opportunity to meet and hold her first great-grandchild and her second great-grandchild virtually.

Her unwavering faith was expressed through her dedicated service as a missionary. A life member of the Women's Missionary Society, she served faithfully at numerous AME churches, including Pearl St. AME Church in Jackson, MS, Grant Chapel AME Church in Wichita, KS, AME Churches in South Carolina and California, and Sherman AME Church in San Antonio, TX, culminating in her role as the "Long-standing and Faithful Missionary" at Sherman AME Church. She served as an Usher at each church they attended and served on the Trustee Board at Grant Chapel AME Church and Sherman AME Church. Mom also worked with Church Women United. She served until the Lord called her home, introducing Sis. Jones as the Women’s Day speaker on December 29, 2024. She attended WMS services both locally and nationally. She welcomed young people into her home and provided a listening ear.

Charlean was the ultimate cheerleader for family and friends. During her two-year illness, she expressed her desire for quality of life, which she achieved. She enjoyed time with her family, and was able to enjoy many of her favorite activities. As she began her transition to her Heavenly Home, she asked if the gates of Heaven were open. On the day of her transition, looking her best with her hair combed, she entered Heaven’s Gate and greeted her husband and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through her service, she taught her family to live humbly, speak softly, and trust God with all their hearts.

Heaven’s Gain:

Charlean D. Haughton leaves to cherish her memory: daughters Annette R. Gaitan (Kim Gaitan) of Kansas City, KS, and Tanya D. Haughton of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren Nicholas T. Gaitan (Kaila Gaitan) of Louisville, KY, and Keara N. Okolo (Raymond Okolo) of Jefferson City, MO; great-granddaughters Maliyah Renee’ Gaitan and Skylar Jade Gaitan of Louisville, KY; sister LaVerne D. White of Jackson, MS; brother Bill Gilmore Jr. of Jackson, MS; sisters-in-law Sarah Dortch and Brenda Gilmore, both of Jackson, MS; brother-in-law Harold J. Haughton (Ethel Haughton); nieces and nephews Gilbert Jr., Tom, Craig, Sylvia, Gwen, Daryl, Selena, Valerie, Edwin, Lennise, Jay, Faye, Jarrett, and La Shay; several great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews; godchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Sherman AME Church and the Women’s Missionary Society of the Southwest Texas District; special “daughters” Debra Lee and Jennifer Miller.