Charlene Rae Fancher

Charlene Rae (Cusick) Fancher, 81, passed away November 3, 2020, at Stonebridge Senior Living-Adams Street, Jefferson City, Missouri.  She was born in Rolla, Missouri, on March 20, 1939, to Edward and Florence Cusick, a twin sister to Sharon Rose Cusick.  She was a graduate of Waynesville Senior High School, Class of 1957, and attended cosmetology school in Lebanon, Missouri, following her graduation.  She worked as a beauty operator (as the profession was known in those days), and in the circuit clerk’s office in the Pulaski County Court House.  She served as a teacher’s aide for the Head Start Program in Waynesville and worked as a caregiver for a number of seniors during her lifetime.  She was active in Deerlick Baptist Church of Waynesville for many years as well as New Hope Freewill Baptist Church of Richland, Missouri, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, teaching Vacation Bible School and serving in other church capacities.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Hansen Chapter 22 of Waynesville, for many years and was involved in a number of community philanthropic activities.

She was married on June 29, 1976, to Kerry Brown in Waynesville, MO.  They served together in church, loved each other’s company and were a team in every way.  Kerry preceded her in death on March 9, 1998.  Lifetime friends with Charles and Virginia Fancher, she married Charles on August 21, 1998, after he had also lost his spouse.  Charlene and Charles built another good life together and he proceeded her in death on March 23, 2009.  Both unions brought great joy to her life through church service, camping, card playing, traveling, gardening, and much time with family and friends.  She had a tremendous sense of humor and wit, loved to laugh and never met a stranger.

She had an inherent gift of hospitality and the door to her home was always open.  She was a wonderful cook and her table was filled with the offerings of both her hands and her heart.  There was always room at her table for one more.  She was a homemaker and loved sewing, crafting and decorating.  She was known as a friend and prayer partner to many but she could be a force if she believed someone was unkind to a friend or family.  She was an advocate for the “underdog” and believed our job on earth was to love every person and that judgment of anyone belonged to God alone.  She taught her children early that hate was a word reserved for war or other atrocities and that it should never be directed toward another human being.  She instilled the value and importance of education in her children.

Her children hold many fond memories of their mother, especially Christmas times when she collected food, clothing and toys for families in need.  Year after year she loaded the trunk of her car with wrapped gifts.  It was a humbling and profound life lesson as they watched their mother dispense presents and hope.  There were countless such experiences and examples throughout her life of organizing, helping and doing for others.

She is survived by her children, Lisa (Cole) Kremer (Gary) and Todd Cole (Nikki) of Jefferson City as well as grandchildren Rebecca Daze (Jeff), Randy Kremer, Sharon (Kremer) Bax (Travis), and Dylan Cole (Katie), and great-grandchildren Dustin, Brooke and Bladen Kremer, Kaden, Logan, Saylor, and Halson Bax, and Brennan Dazey.  She is survived also by her beloved twin sister, Sharon Rose (Cusick) Moseley and brother-in-law William Moseley as well as nieces and Cindy Herron and Wendi Carroll and their families.

Arrangements are under the direction of Phillips Funeral Home, Eldon. Due to the pandemic, private graveside services will be held in the Crocker City Cemetery, Crocker, Missouri, Saturday,November 7th.  Memorials are suggested to the Staff Appreciation Fund at Stonebridge Senior Living-Adams Street 1024 Adams St. Jefferson City, MO 65101