Speck Funeral Home - Charlsie Sue Van Koughnett

Charlsie Sue Garrett Van Koughnett

            Charlsie, a longtime resident of Overton County, passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, August 6, 2023, and was buried at the Garrett Cemetery in Jaybird.  She remained active, conversive, and enjoyed root beer with a helping of fried onion rings well into her 104th year.

            Educated through the eighth grade at the Rhyan Springs schoolhouse, Charlsie acquired her GED, graduated nursing school, and worked as a licensed practical nurse in Huntsville, AL.  In later years, she worked at the Landy Ann Memorial Hospital, Livingston Regional Hospital, and the Overton County Nursing Home in Livingston.

            The daughter of Hardy and Calla Winningham Garrett, she was born in a log cabin on September 28, 1918, at the Garrett Family farm in Jaybird.  Sisters Maggie Marie McDonald (Herman), Reba Callahan (John), Ruby Daniels (Floyd), and brother William Garrett (Maurine) preceded her in death.  She married Norman Van Koughnett (1906-1992) of Detroit, MI, in 1942.  There are three surviving sons, Cal, Winningham, and Garrett.

          Charlsie loved to travel, especially during the war years.  There were many trips to the Smokies and Florida.  At age 64, she joined the Peace Corps and taught bee keeping in Jamaica.

           A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday September 24th at the annual Smith Chapel Homecoming in the Monroe Community, of which Charlsie's grandfather, W. H. Garrett, was a founding member.  Bring a dish and enjoy talking about old times.

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