Lenota J Charles

Lenota Josephine Charles was born on December 14, 1926, to Emilia Crosby, a homemaker, and Louis Charles, an estate foreman, in Diego Martin, Trinidad, West Indies. She was the youngest of nine siblings: seven girls and two boys. She was her father’s favorite child. At a relatively young age, she began working for the government’s works and hydraulics department as a water carrier. She loved traveling throughout the country with her church’s ministry. She had many nieces and nephews and was well loved by them all. Lenota loved gardening and instilled in her children a love for plants and the beauty of growing things. She raised five children; Osmond Anthony Charles (deceased), Neville Matthew Auguste, Lynette Veronica Harris, Ann Marie Weekes and Hugh Andy Cornelius Charles (deceased). In July 1969, Lenota immigrated to Pennsylvania where she worked as a domestic servant for a few short months before relocating to Nyack and later Spring Valley, New York. She then worked for Rockland Psychiatric hospital as a therapy aide for the next 25 years until she retired in 1995. During that time, she took classes towards her LPN degree. Lenota was once an avid WWF fan and would rush home from church on Saturday nights to watch her favorite wrestlers and even once attended a tournament at Madison Square Garden. She also enjoyed shopping, crocheting, cooking, walking, floral design, hymns and spending time with her many grandchildren. Lenota loved animals and owned several beloved pets throughout her lifetime (Tasha, Sasha, Mitzy, Cocoa, Sonny, Cher, Bianca and Jasper). In early 1996, after the tragic loss of her youngest son Andy, she relocated to Lakeland, Florida with Andy’s two children, Darien Charles and Katana Williams, where she initially lived with her daughter Ann Marie and son-in-law Dexter Weekes and family. Later that year, Lenota was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church along with her grandson Pastor Claude Hardcastle II. It was one of her most cherished memories. Lenota was independent, hard-working, determined and outspoken, never afraid to speak her mind. She was known affectionately as “Granny” and “The General.” She loved her family, was loved by her family, and formed many lifelong friendships. Her strong spirit was evident even until her final moments. She is survived by her son Neville; daughters Lynette and Ann Marie; son-in-law Dexter; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. In her own words, “Father, remember your daughter, Lenota Josephine Charles.” A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 10-11:00 AM, with funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM, at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Serenity Gardens Chapel. Burial at Serenity Gardens will take place following the service.

Lenota J Charles

December 14, 1926 - February 16, 2023