A long-time resident of Arnold, Maryland, Charlene died Tuesday, January 20th, at University of Maryland Medical Center of complications following open-heart surgery. Born in 1947 in Greenville, SC, in 1965 graduate of Highlands High School, San Antonio, she travelled the world with her Air Force family and her Navy husband and family. She taught in the pre-school in Yokohama, Japan; operated the pre-school in Rota, Spain; and was a teacher's assistant at the DOD school at Little Rissington, England. She changed direction by becoming a Registered Nurse, graduating from Anne Arundel Community College in 1989. She worked in several local hospitals in Cardiac Critical Care, in Emergency Room care, and IV Therapy. Charlene loved good food, great wines, socializing and going to movies and musicals with friends and family. She was an avid royal watcher and collected spoons and coins. She loved to travel the world and sample the local culture. She had a smile and outgoing winning personality that could light up a room. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Fletcher; daughter Keli (Richard) Paulk of Bakersfield, CA; son Jason (Liberty) Kinne of Chestertown, MD; daughter Kathryn (Michael) Koneval of Medina, OH; sisters Nancy Nelson and Janet (Jesse) Vielma of San Antonio, TX; brother Alan (Sandy) Ballew of Windcrest, TX. She had 7 grandchildren and 6 nieces and nephews she loved dearly. A private service will be held for family only. Memorial gifts can be donated in her name to the American Diabetes Association , P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Visit www.diabetes.org for more information.