Charlotte Elizabeth Seegars, 1921-1994

Charlotte Elizabeth Seegars was never named Miss Franklin County but she should have been. This is where she served and this was home base for spreading the cause of missions throughout the Virginia conference and beyond. Charlotte was born in Charleston, South Carolina, December 6, 1921, the oldest in a wonderful family of one brother and three sisters. She graduated from the College of Charleston (A.B.) in 1942. She then served 10 years as an educational assistant at Trinity Methodist Church, Charleston.

After graduating from Scarritt College (M.A.) in 1954 with additional studies at Peabody College and Vanderbilt School of Religion, she was assigned as a church and community worker to Franklin County, Virginia, by the Board of Global Ministries of the Methodist Church. She served 22 churches under the Franklin County Methodist Group Ministry, driving many miles over bad roads to get to her places of service. She established the Henry Fork Service Center for children and youth at Rocky Mount.

Charlotte was certified as Director of Christian Education in the Methodist Church on June 18,  1966. She was certified and consecrated as a Lay Worker on June 14, 1970. On June 13, 1977, she became a Diaconal Minister in the United Methodist Church. She requested a leave of absence from the Board of Diaconal Ministry in June 1981, but continued in ministry in Franklin County. She served in the Virginia conference for 32 years.

When Charlotte was president of the Virginia Conference Christian Educators Fellowship for two years, the business meetings were great fun. Her wit and humor that were a part of everything she did carried over into business and committee meetings.

Several years ago at annual conference when Bishop Kenneth Goodson referred to Charlotte Seegars as an "angel for God" the only person surprised was Charlotte.

On May 14, 1994, the Rev. William K. Dawson held the funeral service for Charlotte Elizabeth Seegars at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church. The service was so appropriate that it even included songs by small children of Henry Fork Service Center.

-Mary K. Pulliam
-Julia F. Woodford