April 29, 2021, 86, Goldsboro –
Mary Ann Herring Charlton, formerly of Goldsboro, died in Raleigh April 29, 2021. Born January 20, 1935 in Wayne County to Preston Andrew Herring and Lottie Godwin Herring, Mary Ann spent her early years enjoying horseback riding, exploring creative activities and participating in church and school programs. At New Hope High School, she was a leader serving as an officer in numerous organizations and as class president for three of her four years. She graduated as salutatorian of her class in 1953.
She attended Guilford College where she met her husband of 65 years, William Love Charlton. They spent most of their married years in Goldsboro where they raised their three children. Mary Ann expressed her love for her family by creating a beautiful home and planning great holiday celebrations. While giving sacrificially to them, Mary Ann made time to serve St. Luke United Methodist Church in various capacities and was an integral part of the Goldsboro Downtown Lady Lions and the Salvation Army Auxiliary. She was also a member of the NC Association of Educational Office Personnel and retired from the public school system in 1992. Her greatest vocational joy came while she served as a kindergarten teacher with the Head Start program. She spent her entire life reaching out to people who are often unseen and unappreciated. She wanted people to know they were valuable, and she offered many gifts anonymously.
Mary Ann is survived by her children, Herb Charlton and wife Jean, LuAnn Charlton, Preston Charlton and wife Maureen. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Grace Charlton Maloney and husband Cliff, Katie Charlton and Claire Charlton. Additional survivors include niece Joy Charlton Page and husband David, nephew Dave Charlton and wife Debbie, nephew Ralph Charlton and wife Bridgit, great nieces Lindsay Page and husband Martin Murray, Charlie Page, great nephew Bryce Charlton, great, great niece Arizona James Murray and great, great nephew Nicholas Elliot Murray. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Love Charlton, her parents and her great nephew James David Page.
A private service of Thanksgiving and Resurrection will be held for the family in Goldsboro on Tuesday, May 4. The family requests that memorials be sent to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1608 E. Pine Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 4801 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.
