Charlotte Redding

Charlotte Hopkins Redding, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2010 at age 93. She was born in Lubbock, Texas, February 27, 1917, the daughter of the late Bion Pleasant Hopkins and Mollie Powell Hopkins. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 1936 with a degree in music, teaching for one year in a Texas public school. She married Russel F. Redding in 1937 and they moved to LaGrange, GA, where she was on the music faculty of LaGrange College. After moving to Spartanburg in 1945, she was a violinist with the Spartanburg Symphony until 1964. When she retired from playing with the Symphony, she became active as a volunteer member of the Symphony Guild and was awarded the Henry Janiec award in 1994 in recognition for her many years of service. She was a past president and the oldest member of the Spartanburg Music Club. Until recently, she was active in the South Carolina Federation of Music Clubs. She resumed her teaching career in 1962 at The School for Handicapped Children, now known as The McCarthy Teszler School. After being widowed in 1969 at age 52, she attended classes at Furman University to become certified as a Special Education teacher. She retired from teaching in the District 7 Z. L. Madden Elementary School in 1982. When the need for a special education Sunday school class arose at the First Baptist Church, she formed and taught the church's first class. She enjoyed this teaching ministry for 25 years. Also through her church, she mentored several families from Southeast Asia, helping them to learn American customs and the English language. Mrs. Redding was preceded in death by her husband, Russell F. Redding and her son, John Hopkins Redding. Survivors include two sons, Russell F. Redding, Jr and his wife Rebecca of Atlanta, GA and Bruton Powell Redding of Spartanburg; two grandsons, Alan R. Redding M.D. and David R. Redding M.D., both of Atlanta, GA. Being in her presence always brought smiles and laughter due to her constant sunny disposition. Her family and friends will miss her greatly. The family will receive friends 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Wednesday, July 14, 2010 in the E. Gibson Davis Memorial Chapel at First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, conducted by the Rev. Robert C. Morgan. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family requests that memorial gifts be made to The Music Club of Spartanburg Scholarship Fund, C/o Pat Cook, Treasurer, 637 Spencer Circle, Spartanburg, SC 29307; or to a charity of one's choice. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charlotte H. Redding please visit our Sympathy Store.