Charlotte Carman

HIGHLANDS — Charlotte Carman died on July 24, 2012, at The Fidelia Eckerd Living Center in Highlands after a long period of failing health.

She was born, in Springfield, Massachusetts, May 16, 1924, the daughter of Ernest Westervelt Carman and Jessie Caton Carman.

Her older sister, Ann Gordon Carman Peavey, of Hendersonville,  survives her. Three older brothers, John Westervelt Carman, Edward Caton Carman, and James Russell Carman, predeceased her.

Miss Carman lived many years in Springfield and Wilbraham, Mass.. She attended the Springfield public schools and graduated from Classical High School. After graduation in 1946 from American International College in Springfield, for five years she worked for MassMutual Life Insurance Co., in the group department. In 1951, looking for something more rewarding to do with her life, she returned to AIC to take the courses necessary to prepare for a teaching career. At the end of one year she received another degree, an MA in Education.

Her teaching career began with the third grade at the Armory Street School in Springfield. A few years later she transferred to Springfield's Mary O. Pottenger School to teach the first grade. While at Pottenger, she helped pioneer the teaching of the controversial "New Math."

Miss Carman was active in several education associations: the NEA, SEA, PTA, and the Association for Childhood Education. She served on several special committees, including the social studies textbook selection committee, and held office in some of them. Miss Carman was always eager to learn what was new and important in her field, and adopt best practices.

In 1971 she was invited to join Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for teachers, and she remained an active member the rest of her life.

After teaching for 29 years in Springfield, Miss Carman took early retirement and moved to Hendersonville in 1982. The mark of a true teacher being that she never ceases to teach, Charlotte spent the next 10 years volunteering at Bruce Drysdale Elementary School, as a reading tutor in the Title I program. Only when that program ended did she stop teaching.

Her interests were many. She was a long-time member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville, where she sang soprano in the choir. For many years hiked with the Carolina Mountain Club as well as with local hiking groups. She was active in the Hendersonville Library's activities. As a life member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEGHS), she took many trips with this group to the United Kingdom for genealogical research. Charlotte was very active in the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and in the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

With her sister Ann, she traveled on NSDAR business to many locations in Europe, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. Of all these organizations, the one closest to Charlotte's teacher's heart was the Tamassee DAR School in Tamassee SC. Charlotte, knowing that a stable home and dedicated teachers are crucial to a child's security and functioning, worked hard to raise funds for this residential school for children in crisis. The family asks that anyone wishing to make any gift in Charlotte's memory, rather than sending flowers, make a contribution to:Tamassee DAR School, P.O. Box 8, Tamassee, SC 29686.

Charlotte was a sweet and affectionate aunt to her three generations of nephews and nieces. Even after years of progressive disability from Parkinson's Disease, her mind and memory remained sharp. She delighted in visits from friends and relatives, and she showed the keenest interest in every branch of her extended family.

A memorial service for family only will be held in the summer of 2013.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.