Charlotte Radtke-Carroll was born to George M. Cushman and Edith V. Anderson Cushman in Hammond, Indiana on May 12, 1919. The eldest of seven children Charlotte enjoyed her life growing up in the country of Valparaiso, Indiana. She went to be with our Lord on November 29, 2016 with her family around her.
After high school in Indiana, Charlotte enrolled and graduated as a licensed Registered Nurse from St Mary’s Mercy Hospital also in Indiana and that is where her career began. Charlotte worked as a nurse in a munition plant in Indiana and shortly after, she joined the U.S. Navy. as a nurse . She came home and worked in many different capacities in the local hospital including Charge Nurse and then Psychiatric Nurse. She worked as a Dr.’s nurse and retired as a School Nurse.
Charlotte moved to Pasadena in 1972 and hit the ground running. She was dedicated to working with Senior Citizens, servicing as the local President of Texas Seniors for four years and then as Texas State President for two years, and Texas State Nursing Home Ombudsman.
She was the founding member of The Pasadena High Steppers Red Hat Society and the Recycled Belles Dance Group. She then became an active member of the Silver Star Tappers from the Madison Job Senior Center in Pasadena. Charlotte was nominated and participated in Ms. Pasadena Senior Pageant.
Always busy and always going Charlotte made time for her church and church family. Until her death she was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Women of the Church and when she passed she held a elder’s position on the Session (the church’s governing board).
She was preceded in death by T .W. Carroll and her husband Arthur J. Radtke, and three brothers William, George and Richard.
Charlotte is survived by three sisters, Margaret Anthony of Sugarland, TX, Jaqueline Baggett of Pasadena, TX and Catherine Bennett of Woodville (Ivanhoe) , TX along with thirteen nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter Deborah J. Shumaker, (Gary) and grand daughter Dawn M. Kubisz of Pasadena. Charlotte is also survived by by son Arthur J. Radtke and grand daughters Mandy Hamilton (Jason) Of Virginia, Doctor Heather Derrington (Jason) and one grandson Kyle Radtke, of Orlando, Florida. Five great grand children also survive including her namesake, Charlotte.
A Memorial Service in Charlotte’s honor will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. At Faith Presbyterian Church, 2301 South Houston Road, Pasadena, TX
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be made to A New Dawn Pet Adoption or Faith Presbyterian Church.
The family wishes to thank Frances Truman of Applied Home Health who has become more than a nurse but also a family member. We also want to thank the Pastors and congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church. Their constant love and caring was most appreciated during this time. They were really wonderful to Mom and to us too—always there when we needed them.