Charlie Jean (Payne) McDonough, 84, widow of Charles Curtis McDonough and formerly of Goldsboro, NC passed from this life October 31, 2014 at Envoy of Staunton where she had resided for the past two years.
Charlie Jean was born February 22, 1930 in Cleburne County, Alabama to the late Winford G. and Vessie H. Payne.
She graduated at age sixteen as Valedictorian from Heflin High School, and from Jacksonville State College at age 19 with a double major in Math and Science. She then married the love of her life, Curtis; a union lasting 63 years until his death in 2012. During those years they traveled the world. First with the Air Force and then because they just enjoyed experiencing new places. Charlie enjoyed music and playing the piano. She sang alto in choirs including Glee Clubs in high school and college, church choirs wherever she lived and spent nearly 30 years singing with the Third Century Singers in Goldsboro. She loved to dance, and she and Curtis could cut a rug. Charlie spent many years teaching Math and Science at the high school level. The final 29 years were at Goldsboro High School. She eventually earned her Masters Degree in Gifted Education. Her influence on her students reaches far and wide. She also taught Sunday school for different age groups. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and puns. She never met a stranger, loved clothes, flowers, beautiful scenery and the ocean. Charlie Jean loved her family and was always the rock for family and friends.
In addition to her husband and her parents, Charlie Jean was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Roy Nelson and Bob Swint; a nephew, Kerry Swint; and a granddaughter-in-law, Billie Jean McDonough.
Surviving to celebrate her life are two sons, Alan C. McDonough of Greenville, NC and David C. McDonough of Tampa, FL; two daughters, Barbara Ferguson of Staunton, VA, and Janet Richardson of Pompano Beach, FL; a brother, Stanley D. Payne and wife Pam of Heflin, AL; a sister, Jaqueline Swint of Andrews, NC; and a sister-in-law, Betty Sue Nelson of Attalla, AL; nine grandchildren, Alan Jr. and wife Patty, Jason McDonough, Brandon McDonough, Billy Ferguson, Fairland Ferguson, Carl Richardson and wife Tiffini, Marie Richardson and husband Nick Corbin, Jennifer McDonough, and Scott McDonough and wife Christy; four great grandchildren Brittany, Justin, Jessica and Dylan McDonough; two great-great grandchildren, Kayleigh and Briona Bennett. Charlie was a well-loved aunt to many nieces and nephews also.
Charlies family and friends would like to thank the staff at Envoy of Staunton for the wonderful loving care they gave her during her time there.
The family will receive friends with lunch served from 12:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2014 in the fellowship hall of Madison Ave. Baptist Church., at 300 S. Madison Ave. in Goldsboro.
Funeral services conducted by Dr. Robert Fulkerson will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
Interment will be in Wayne Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers will be Allan McDonough, Jr., Jason McDonough, Brandon McDonough, Carl Richardson, Scott McDonough, and Justin McDonough.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Grace-Winsome Sunday School Class; Martha Wolfe, Betty Loving, Nina Crumpler, Alice Edwards, Peggy Duna, Fran Pericone, and Elizabeth Jewel.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Madison Ave. Baptist Church, or the Alzheimers Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601-7633.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.