Charlotte Moore Thelen, age 89, passed to glory on September 18, 2025, to be with her Savior Jesus Christ. Charlotte was born to Samuel and Lovie Wicker in Forest, Mississippi, on April 17, 1936. After graduating from high school, Charlotte went on to study elementary education at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi. During her time at Belhaven, Charlotte excelled in music, performing regularly in productions and even earning the distinction of star soloist at the top of the "Singing Christmas Tree" event. Charlotte also served as a soloist at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson throughout her college years. Charlotte participated in the Miss Mississippi pageant of 1958, winning the talent portion of the contest with her lovely singing voice. Upon earning her Bachelor's degree, Charlotte studied opera in New York for a short period of time, ultimately deciding that was not the life she desired. Charlotte took a job in Bakersfield, California, as an elementary school teacher where she met Charles Thelen, who became her husband on June 28,1959. Charlotte taught school for two years before she and Charles began their family. Together Charles and Charlotte raised four children: Kent, Tedd, Todd, and Melissa.

Charlotte felt her main calling in life was to be a devoted wife and mother. Charlotte was a wonderful support to her husband and was very involved with the music department at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri, where Charles became a tenured professor of music education and served as the resident woodwind specialist. Charlotte served on the committee for the International Piano Competition, hosted by MSSU for 21 years, giving of her time and abilities to ensure its success. Charles and Charlotte enjoyed traveling and made many overseas trips with the MSSU music department and with their church family.

Charlotte was deeply involved in her community. She and Charles were active members of their church, participating in small group classes and choir. Motivated by her profound faith in Christ, Charlotte was a longtime member of the Christian Women's Club regularly speaking and singing at events. Charlotte was part of a singing group called "The Good News Trio," which blessed audiences with Christian concerts over a span of many years.

Charlotte was a devoted mother to her children. She instilled a love for Jesus in their hearts from an early age. Charlotte was diligent in making the Thelen home a place of fun and activity. Her gift of hospitality was evident as their home became the main gathering place for teenagers after church on Sunday nights. Charlotte's love for mothering earned her the honor of Missouri Mother of the Year in 1990, which was one of her proudest moments. Charles and Charlotte's children each married and started families of their own making them grandparents to 14 grandchildren and, eventually, 20 great-grandchildren.

To be near children, Charles and Charlotte relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma, for five years before settling in Acworth, Georgia, in 2022. Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thelen, by her parents, Samuel and Lovie Wicker, by her sister, Elizabeth "Libby" Porter, and by her daughter's husband, Joseph Cole. A private family graveside service will be held to celebrate Charlotte's Heavenly homegoing. Charlotte will be laid to rest next to her husband, Charles, at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Acworth, Georgia.