Charlotte Diana Miller Storthz

Charlotte Diana Miller Storthz died on March 8, 2017, not coincidentally on International Women's Day. She was born on May 28, 1920, in Baltimore, Md., to Annie Narkinsky Miller and Chester E. Miller, DDS. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Herbert L. Storthz; brother Max Miller; and son-in-law, Barry Boshears. Charlotte is survived by her children, Chester (Carol); Jenny Storthz Boshears; Joseph Storthz (Karen) of Houston, Texas; grandchildren Katey Hobbs (Jon), St Louis; Merlin Kilbury IV; Michael Kilbury (Meg), Portland, Ore.; Jill Storthz, Portland, Ore.; Amy Storthz, Houston; and great-grandchildren, Andrew and Alex Hobbs, Levi and Adele Kilbury. She is also survived by her sisters, Raida Snyderman of Little Rock and Roslyn Applin of Seattle, Wash., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Charlotte enjoyed teaching dancing in Baltimore before her marriage and volunteered at the Red Cross during World War II. After moving with Herbie to Little Rock, she was a long-time member of Temple B'nai Israel, an officer of the National Council of Jewish Women and a member of Hadassah. As a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of St. Vincent Infirmary, she served as its president in 1975, and as its historian. She volunteered at St. Vincent and Doctors Hospital and in many other charitable organizations in the U.S. and in Mexico, when she and her husband lived there. During Little Rock's public-school crisis, Charlotte was very active in the Women's Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools and S.T.O.P. She had an extraordinary gift for starting conversations and making friends. Being with people at social events was one of her greatest joys. An outwardly focused woman who rarely spoke of herself, she was beautiful, intelligent and possessed a compassionate spirit. She sang with Big Bands in the '30s, and enjoyed every style of music from Bach and Puccini to Louis and Ella to Merle Haggard. Charlotte always had a smile on her face and was genuinely interested in everyone she met. She deeply loved her family and many friends, had a beautiful singing voice, impeccable taste and endless empathy. Unfortunately, these traits were not passed on to her children. As a mother, she always wholeheartedly supported Chester, Jenny, and Joe, from their earliest days to her last. "Meme" was a wonderful grandmother and great-grandmother, who took joy in every aspect of their lives, hosting sleep-overs, annual events from "The Nutcracker Ballet" to Pops on the River, and watching them perform in all of their activities. We are grateful for those who helped Meme and took care of her throughout her later years: her devoted sister, Raida; as well as Rosie Rafter, Lumma Norwood, Brenda Foster, Tonya Pride, Tiffany Robinson, and PW; and the attentive staff at Presbyterian Village, particularly Melody, Curtis, Gail, and Audonte. Charlotte was unfailingly optimistic, always interested in others, and she never lost her sense of humor, even as her memory began to fail in the last years of her life. She died as she lived, with grace and dignity. A memorial service for Charlotte will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, at Temple B'nai Israel, 3700 Rodney Parham. Donations may be given to the Southern Poverty Law Center; Presbyterian Village; or to a favorite charity. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.