BURGAW — Charlotte Richardson Humphrey, age 82, loving mother of two, Mema, and adoring wife to the late Milton Jennings Humphrey Jr., passed away in the late hours on January 22, 2025 after a courageous battle with COPD.
Charlotte was born in Whiteville, NC, and grew up surrounded by her large family. She had 11 siblings and several aunts and uncles. Charlotte was influenced by her family to be a loving and caring woman, always giving her time to others, and she incorporated that into her motherhood and her duties as a wife.
She was a prime example of a Proverbs 31 woman. She would wake before sunrise to make sure her family was served their breakfast for the morning and would be the last to go to sleep, making sure her household was well taken care of. With her hardworking hands, she would sew clothes for her children and grandchildren. She used the wisdom she gained throughout her life and made sure she passed that same wisdom down to her children and her children’s children. Most importantly, she loved the Lord.
She was a faithful, loving, and giving wife to Jennings Humphrey, whom she met at the young age of 14. They fell in love instantly and knew they both shared a love for family and decided to start their own.
Charlotte volunteered her time in the nursery at her home church, Burgaw Presbyterian, where she deeply enjoyed caring for the infants for many years and would also watch as they grew up and eventually graduated on to adulthood. In her free time she loved reading her Bible, watching Dr. Charles Stanley on Sundays, and especially enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every night. When the weather was nice, she enjoyed spending her time tending to her garden and enjoyed watching various birds come to her bird feeders and baths. She particularly loved hummingbirds and had her very own collection of them inside her home.
Charlotte will be missed by many, but especially her two children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort in knowing she is healed and safe in the arms of Jesus. She was born April 16, 1942 and was the daughter of Forney Norwood Richardson, Sr. and Lou Ella Beggs Richardson. In addition to her parents Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband of 62 happy years, Milton Jennings Humphrey, Jr.; sisters, Betty Hefner and Harriette Wynne; and brothers, Stewart Richardson and FN Richardson, Jr.
Charlotte is survived by her beloved family; son, Milton Jennings “Jay” Humphrey III and wife, Kim and their children, Morgan and Nate Williams and their children Battle, Knox, Canon and Evie June, and Milton Jennings “Jayson” Humphrey IV (Mary Kate) and their children Joshua, Mila Ruth, Milton Jennings V, and Joy Humphrey; daughter, Gina Humphrey Marasco and husband, Robert, and their children, Seth Cawthern (Angelia), and their children, Arleigh Raye and Allie Kaye Cawthern, and Abbie Bullard (Daniel) and their children, Elizabeth, Emma, Ethan, Elias, and Eleanor Bullard, and Cacey Marasco (Amanda) and their children, Shane and Elaina Marasco; siblings, Georgia Lippard Bell, Mildred Guess, Virginia Highsmith (Hugh), Shepard Richardson (Donna), Herbert Richardson (Louema), Doug Richardson, and Don Richardson; sister-in-law, Julie Horrell Burns; numerous adoring nieces and nephews; and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel with Pastor Rob Strickland conducting the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home following the service.
Flowers are welcomed and the family suggests you consider a memorial gift to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
