Charllis Rae Guernsey

Charllis Rae Guernsey, "Charlie", born April 9th, 1947, originally from Holyoke, CO went home to Jesus on May 10th, 2016.  She was a graduate of Sterling High School in 1965, and attended Northeastern Junior College.  Charllis married Floyd Godwin on June 11th, 1967. Although the marriage was short lived, they remained friends till the end. She was an entrepreneur and founded Country Charlie's Antiques, in San Jose, CA. Her passion was that of a mother, a calling she accomplished with meticulous care and great joy.  Charlie's talents were many. She was a gifted artist, an exquisite seamstress and a fabulous baker.  She often demonstrated her gift of hospitality during family gatherings and entertaining those she loved.  She had a zest for life that anyone would recognize the moment they met her and asked, "How ya doin'?" And her response was ALWAYS, "FANTASTIC!"  Charllis had a constant warm smile that would welcome anyone she encountered, living by one of her favorite sayings, "A stranger is a friend I haven't met yet."  

Charllis passed away from Frontotemporal Dementia.  A rare, incurable disease that creates nerve cell damage, leading to a devastating loss of brain function, causing a degeneration of motor skills, communication, and memory loss.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Guernsey; grandmothers, Leola Wheatley and Faye Guernsey; and uncle, Marv Barber.  

Charllis is survived by her mother, Phyllis (Barber) Glick; sister, Terri (Guernsey) Barry and her husband, Bill; brother, Barry Guernsey and his wife, Mary; daughter, Kimberlee (Godwin) Le and her husband, Kha; granddaughters, Sophia and Arianna Le; seven nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.  

Charllis was a devoted daughter, a fun-loving sister, an amazing mother, and a delightful grandmother. Quoting her granddaughter, Sophia, "She has transformed me to recognize how happy I am with the family I do have, cherishing the moments I have with them. She has opened my eyes to the realization that life can be cut short and that friends are dear.  She has allowed me to be fearless because...I want to be someone who is remembered for living life like every day was her last."

Her funeral was held on Saturday, May 14th, 2016, at Baucke Funeral Home in Holyoke, CO.  She was laid to rest in Holyoke Cemetery immediately following the service.  Pastor Max Hines was the officiating minister.  She will forever live in our hearts and will be greatly missed.