Charlotte Marie Hambelton Barr was born on August 26, 1950, to her parents, Hugo Lionel Hambelton and Lura Faye Miller Hambelton (both deceased) of Ozark County, Missouri. She transitioned from this life to her heavenly home on July 5, 2023 at her residence. She is survived by her children: Clinton Allen Barr and his wife, Libby, and Tracy Michelle Thomas; six grandchildren: Jalen Thomas, Kendall Thomas, Callaway Anderson and her husband, Dylan, Lexi Barr, Janessa Thomas, and Shayla Thomas; siblings: Vance Hambelton, Patricia Jarman and her husband, Roger, and Stacy Hambelton and his wife, Brenda; her best friend and forever support, Anne Kimbrough; and several wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, whom she loved dearly.
Charlotte was the third of four children born to Hugo and Lura. The family lived, worked, and played on the same farm where Charlotte began her life, and where her parents lived until their deaths in 2002 and 2021. In fact, the family farm is still being worked by brothers Vance and Stacy. Charlotte had wonderful memories of her childhood, and a deep gratitude for the love of God, family, and a good day’s work instilled by her loving parents.
Charlotte began 1st grade at the little one-room schoolhouse, Luna School, when she was only 4 years old, simply because she wanted to go to school with her siblings. Charlotte’s mom loved to reminisce how Charlotte begged to go to school with her siblings when she was only 4 years old, so the teacher said, “Let her come and we’ll see how she does.” A couple of weeks later, when Lura checked to see how Charlotte was doing, the teacher said, “She’s doing great! You can’t take her out now.” Charlotte never lost her love for school, and eventually became a teacher herself. Neither did she ever lose pride in the fact that for six years she went to a little one-room, country school where they pumped water from a well, had an outside toilet, a wood heating stove, hills covered in trees to play on during recess, and got to go “paw-paw hunting” on field trips.
Charlotte graduated from Gainesville High School in 1967, then attended what was then the “School of the Ozarks”, starting her freshman year at age 16. After 1 year and an extra summer she transferred to Southwest MO State College (now MSU), where she met her future husband, William “Bill” Barr. Charlotte and Bill were married in 1969 and were blessed with their son, Clinton Allen, on February 10, 1970. Charlotte discontinued her college career at this time to work and care for their baby while Bill worked and completed his college degree. Then, on August 21, 1972, they were further blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Tracy Michelle. Later, they lived at Lake of the Ozarks, St, Louis and St. Charles Counties, and Rolla, MO. In 1999 Bill and Charlotte divorced, Charlotte graduated Suma Cum Laude from Drury University, and began her first year as an elementary school teacher with Hazelwood School District in St. Louis County, where she stayed until she felt God calling her back to Ozark County in 2012. Charlotte then served as a Reading Specialist for Lutie School for a year, prior to transferring to her home school, Gainesville, from where she retired in May, 2014, after being diagnosed with breast cancer. With God’s help and the loving support of her family and friends, Charlotte completed treatments and was declared cancer free in 2015. The following years were spent in retirement, enjoying spending time with her family and friends, volunteering at church or wherever needed, and being blessed to help care for their elderly mom until she passed away November 26, 2021. Then, in March, 2022, Charlotte received a diagnosis of primary lung cancer, and a new battle began. Although she fought the fight, Charlotte faced death through her faith with a peace that transcended all human understanding (Philippians 4:6) and was comforted by the fact that, although she would miss her precious family and friends for a while, she would one day be reunited with them in her glorious new home.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
A memorial service for Charlotte will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel, Gainesville, MO. Officiating will be Brandon Tanksley. Visitation will be Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Freedom Church in Gainesville, or to Patrick Cemetery.
Also, family would like to encourage all those in attendance, to please wear bright/colorful clothing to honor Charlotte!
And the family invites all family and friends to come back to the house after services for refreshments and fellowship.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.
Memorial Service
Saturday, July 8, 2023
11:00 AM
434 Main St
Gainesville, MO 65655
