Charleen Bearden

Charleen Bearden passed away on March 18, 2013 at her home in Gordon County. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-four years, Jimmy Lane Bearden, a native of Calhoun, her parents, Carl C. and Majora Haynie Whitehead, also of Calhoun, and a sister, Joyce Susan Hodges Rush, of Macon.

She leaves three children: Two daughters, Laurie Bearden Hoskins and D. Lynn Bearden of Cartersville, and one son, the Hon. J. Lane Bearden of Calhoun. Grandchildren Joseph Bearden, Sheldon Jon-Carl Hoskins, Lloyd Bearden, Lauryn Falkenstein, Chaney Bearden, and Honey Hoskins.

She is also survived by Robert Harvey, to whom she was married in 2010. Step-children, step-grandchildren, nieces and a nephew also survive.

Mrs. Bearden was born on March 23, 1933, in Fulton County, GA and grew up in Atlanta and Macon. She attended Mercer University, where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. She attended First United Methodist Church. As the wife of an Air Force Officer she traveled extensively, living in Germany, England, Delaware, Michigan, Texas, Ohio and California. She played tennis and was an enthusiastic fan of the sport. She moved to Calhoun and made it her home after Lt. Col Bearden retired in 1977.

Charleen Bearden was active in showing and producing champion Toy Poodles and Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and operated the Kempio Kennels. She was a member of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America. She was the 1989 AKC Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breeder of the Year. She was active for many years in local projects to rescue and protect pets, and fought for the establishment of an animal shelter in Gordon County.

Funeral services for Mrs. Charleen Bearden will be held Wednesday, March 20th at 2:00pm from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, followed by a private family graveside service at Chandler Cemetery.

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Helping Animals in Gordon, or the Humane Society of the United States.

Online condolences may be expressed and the guest book signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, a legacy of compassion and care, is in charge of funeral arrangements for Charleen Bearden of Calhoun.