Charlotte Anne Browder
Charlotte Browder, age 80 of Anna, entered Heaven’s gates at 1:57 p.m. on Oct. 20, 2025 from Manor Court in Carbondale, after a nearly 9-month battle with glioblastoma, wild-type.
She was born on Sept. 9, 1945 in Grantsburg, Ill., the daughter of Charles and Gladys (Hickam) Cavaness. She married Clarence Browder on March 9, 1963. He preceded her death on Feb. 25, 2023.
Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Bryan) Keller of Anna; her son, Carroll Browder of Dahlonega, Ga. and his fiancée Connie Consentino of McCaysville, Ga.; five grandchildren, Tyler Keller and fiancée KayCe Johnson of Makanda, Brent (Samantha) Keller of Springfield, Mo., Christine Browder of Canton, Ga., Jacob Browder of Lilburn, Ga., and Eli Browder of Dahlonega, Ga.; four great grandchildren, Noah Keller of Springfield, Mo., Cash Adams, Paisley Browder and Presley Browder, all of Canton, Ga.; her mother, Gladys (Cavaness) Smithey of DuQuoin; brother, Robert (Carol) Cavaness of Fairview, Wyo.; sisters, Janet Braun of Evansville, and Donna (Terry) Jenkins of Marissa, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her father; step-father, Joe Smithey; husband, Clarence, of nearly 60 years, and sister Nancy Gearhart.
Charlotte was a member of United Missionary Baptist Church in Buncombe, Ill.
After receiving her GED in 1980, Charlotte began attending classes at Shawnee Community College in Ullin with her daughter. An interest in taking classes to help her work with youth alongside her husband’s ministry led her to graduate with honors in 1983.
Charlotte was a preschool teacher at Sunshine Preschool in Anna from 1984-1985. She decided to continue her education, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1987 from S.I.U.- Carbondale, then a master’s degree in social work in 1988.
She was a Youth Crisis Supervisor at Southern Illinois Regional Social Services in Carbondale from 1988-2004.
Charlotte enjoyed sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, gardening, drawing, and crocheting. She was a talented artist and gifted seamstress who helped many young women and brides-to-be by designing and creating custom prom dresses and wedding gowns.
Charlotte, affectionately called Mammie by her grandchildren, devoted many years and much of her time traveling back and forth to Georgia to help her son care for his special needs child.
As a remembrance of her life the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the National Down Syndrome Society, the Glioblastoma Foundation, or Ebenezer Hall Cemetery Association.
Funeral services for Charlotte Browder will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at United Missionary Baptist Church, 125 United Missionary Lane, Buncombe, IL, with Bro. Wes Johnson, Rev. Michael Browder, Rev. John Campbell, and Rev. Darrell Neathery officiating.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Ebenezer Hall Cemetery. Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.
To view the obituary and leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro in charge of arrangements.