Charlotte Alberta Bunnell

Charlotte Alberta Bunnell (Morris), aged 96, passed away on August 19, 2022 in Napa, CA.

Charlotte was born in Willamette, OR, on February 5, 1926. Her family had lost their farm in Montana and were moving west to get a new start, stopping first in Oregon and then in Southern California where they settled. Charlotte grew up during the Great Depression and her family, with seven children, was very poor.

While attending a church youth group in Los Angeles, Charlotte met Harold (Hal) Bunnell, the love of her life. They were wed in 1943, just before Hal was shipped off for service in World War II. On Hal's safe return home in 1945, Charlotte picked him up at Fort MacArthur, in his prized, souped up 1932 Ford Model A Coupe. Charlotte and Hal, united and truly happy at last, continued their love affair and began a very happy 76 year married life together. They settled in Los Angeles, Idyllwild and elsewhere in California before moving to Napa, where they have been active in the Napa community for the past 21 years.

Charlotte became a stay-at-home Mom when the first of her three boys were born in 1947, but when the kids were all in school, Charlotte yearned to get back into the work force. Charlotte worked off and on for the LA Unified School District (LAUSD) from the 1940s until 1985. She began as an elementary school secretary where her sons went to school in the San Fernando Valley and ended her career as administrative secretary to the Superintendent of Instruction for the entire LAUSD.

Charlotte was the epitome of the loyal wife and devout Christian woman but she was no "doormat." She was smart, clever, quietly out-spoken and energetic. Hal had considerable success in life and was the first to acknowledge that Charlotte was responsible for a great part of it. She was an artist, painting in oils, producing award winning pottery, and even made furniture with Hal. She loved photography, gardening, travel, camping, sailing etc.

Charlotte had an active Christian faith, she was always teaching, mentoring and in service to others. Listing her acts of kindness, love and service to others would take up this entire paper. From the viewpoint of her sons, Charlotte was the perfect mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to all her family. Her Christian faith was evidenced by a life of self-less virtue, modesty, contentment, cheerfulness, optimism and gratitude. Charlotte always had a smile on her face, amazed at her good fortune in life and how deeply she had been blessed. Charlotte taught us that God loved us because as individuals, we are precious to Him. She was her boys' most energetic "cheerleader," an indispensable help in their school work, their fiercest advocate and an unending fountain of unconditional love. She is the closest we have come to seeing a reflection of God's love in action. Not a weak sentimental love, but truly a love based on faith, personal sacrifice and action.

Though at 96 years of age, we knew we couldn't keep her with us for much longer, her family is united in sadness and a deep sense of loss at her passing. But, we believe she is reunited with Hal and all those who went on before her in heaven and we have faith that we will see her again. What a joyous reunion that will be!

Charlotte was predeceased by the love of her life, Hal in 2020, after 76 years of marriage. She is survived by her younger sister, Yvonne Hahn of Montague, CA; her sister-in-law, Marilyn Bunnell of Eagle Rock, CA; her three sons: John Wesley Bunnell (Peggy) of Fountain Valley, CA, Rev. Charles Steven Bunnell (Beth) of Chatsworth, CA, and Daniel Harold Bunnell MD (Cathy) of Napa, CA. She is survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great multitude of other relatives.

A private, family celebration of Charlotte's life and interment will be held in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Charlotte's honor to Collabria Care, or the church or charity of your choice.

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