Charlotte A. McElveen succumbed to cancer on August 15, 2011 at McLeod Hospice House. She had been ill since her diagnosis in 2005 but was blessed with the support of family and many friends who gave her joy and gratitude with each day. Charlotte was the daughter of John Earl McElveen and Mildred Smith McElveen. Except for 14 years of residency in Atlanta, she resided in Florence County, the place of her birth. She is survived by her mother, Mildred Smith McElveen of Olanta; her sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Lephon Small of Florence; and her niece and nephew-in-law, Caroline Small and Andrew LaFollette of College Park, MD. She was predeceased by her father and brother, John Earl McElveen, Sr. and John Earl McElveen, Jr., and by her Siamese cat Blanche. Charlotte graduated from Olanta High School; Furman University in Greenville, SC, with a BA in Elementary Education; and Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA with a Master of Education in Reading Instruction. She earned 30 hours beyond the Masters in supervision and administration from the University of South Carolina. In the 1960s and early 1970s, she was a classroom and lead teacher in the Atlanta City and Fulton County schools. Upon her return to SC, she worked with the Florence District One School System as Language Arts Coordinator for grades 4-8. For four years before her retirement in 1991, she was Director of Federal Programs. This allowed her to work not only in District schools but also in the private and parochial schools that chose to receive Federal resources allocated to Florence area students. She worked directly with teachers and students; assisted in planning, writing, and implementing new, innovative curricula; and participated in professional sororities and organizations as a member and officer. Children were always her priority, and she greatly valued her many opportunities to serve them. She was most proud of the programs she implemented as Director of Federal Programs. She began a Title 1 Parent Training Program, still active after twenty years, in which parents are taught strategies to better work with, prepare, and instruct their children with meaningful activities at home. She coordinated with the school District and Federal government to purchase the Parent Center building in Florence so that the Training Program could be fully staffed with personnel and materials. Two years before her retirement, she began a Title I activity for 3-year-old children to give them an early start in comprehensive developmental activities and a better chance at success in school. This allowed students to be served in a structured school setting from ages 3-5. Charlotte had numerous personal interests. She loved music and sang with the Furman University Singers and the Atlanta Choral Guild. She was an avid perennial gardener until her illness. She loved books of any genre and believed as James Rogers who wrote in his book Peaches in the Summer Wind: "None are so imprisoned as they to whom writing is but a jumble of characters on a printed page." She agreed with Cicero that "a house without books is like a body without a soul." She learned through the journey of life that reading, the love of and the ability to, was a gift given us by God and she wanted to share this love, especially with children. Except for a 4-year membership at Decatur First Baptist Church in Atlanta, she was a lifelong member of Olanta Baptist Church, her parents' church and a part of her heritage. She served in various capacities there during her youth and as an adult, and the joy of her service was teaching Sunday School. She believed this gave her the opportunity to grow and mature as a Christian and to understand that "a call to leadership in the church is a call or invitation to accept Servanthood for Christ." It was with this spirit that she tried to give glory to God for each opportunity. She had great appreciation to Central United Methodist Church for their Bible Study courses offered to the community, especially the Disciple classes. After her retirement, she cared for her mother. She devoted her life to her family and to God. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Cain Funeral Home, Florence. Visitation will be at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 16, from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be at Olanta Baptist Church, Olanta, on Wednesday, August 17 at 4pm with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at 951 Clarendon Ave, Florence. If one chooses, memorials may be given to McLeod Hospice House, P.O. Box 100551 Florence, SC 29502, or to the church or charity of one's choice.