Charlton Pingel

Charlton Oates Pingel, 81, of Layton, Utah died on Sunday, January 24, 2021, at her Layton home surrounded by loved ones. Five years ago, she started showing signs of dementia.  This terrible disease progressed until it took her life.  She was the daughter of William Cleveland Oates and Charlton Thompson Randle, both deceased.  She was born on June 26, 1939 in Tuskegee, Alabama.  Charlton married C Frederick Pingel on February 29, 1964 in Montgomery, Alabama.  Two brothers, Wyatt and Wilna, and one sister, Ruby, also preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband C Frederick, two sons, Walter David (Anita) and John Mark (Blanca) and one daughter, Katherine Claire, ten grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.  And one cat, Freddy. Life for Charlton was filled with adventure, such as driving the family car in Fort Gaines at age 12 by herself and hitting the deputy sheriff’s car.  She broke his arm.  Her daddy gave her good advice when he suggested she not drive in Fort Gaines for a while.  She drove through the Khyber Pass in Pakistan and Afghanistan where special allowance is made for camel caravans on their way to Kabul.  Another time, she and a friend, Dianne, boarded a train in Bangkok and traveled all the way to the Laotian border.  They then crossed the mighty Mekong River spending time in Laos as guests of the U.S. Marine Corps contingency posted in the capital city of Vientiane.  This was just before the Pathet Lao gained control of Laos. Her children were raised mostly overseas.  They benefited from being exposed to different cultures, different languages, and different people.  Today they are all better off having been exposed to other views and ways of life. Charlton was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and delighted in declaring her witness of the Savior throughout the world.  She held numerous positions of church responsibility and was an influence for the good wherever she went.  She loved playing the piano, taking care of her pets, and researching family history.  She had a great influence for good on her family.  Chockie will be deeply missed but we rejoice in the promise of being with her again in the hereafter. Graveside funeral services will be conducted later in Tuskegee, Alabama. To send flowers to Charlton's family, please visit our floral store.