Obituaries
Elva S. Charles, 88
August 02, 2016
Elva S. Charles, 88, of Washington Boro, PA, was welcomed into heaven on Tuesday evening, August 2, 2016, passing gently and peacefully within the comfort of her home. Born November 1, 1927, in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Martin S. and Mary Stoner Good of Mt. Joy. She was preceded in death by her husband, H. Melvin Charles, who died in 1987, and her brother, Wilbur Good, who died in 2015.
Surviving are her children: R. Allen Charles (Ellyce Jean), Vanderwagen, NM; D. Richard Charles (Sandy), East Waterford, PA; Margaret Grove (Jay), Shippensburg, PA; Emmanuel Charles (Casilda), Ewing, NJ; Gloria Shue (Steven), Lancaster, PA; and Frederick Charles (Holly), Longmont, CO. She is survived by 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Evelyn Good, and nephew Nelson Good (Leona), Lancaster, PA.
Elva’s life centered on her Christian faith, her loving family, and her passion for music. A 1945 graduate from Eastern Mennonite High School, Harrisonburg, VA, she held various leadership positions in the Brethren in Christ Church alongside her husband, served as church organist for many years, and gave private piano lessons while raising her six children on the family farm.
Along with her husband Melvin, Elva was dedicated to the spiritual and social enrichment of their family and their community. While on the farm, Elva sold her garden produce over lively conversation, after having preserved an abundance for her family’s needs. Curious, creative, and resourceful, she pursued numerous informal educational opportunities, including teaching herself nutrition, how to refurbish furniture, and obtaining a certification in foot reflexology. The family home was often a local refuge for those in need, with a bedroom and meals provided for passing missionary families and community members for weeks to months at a time. Copying and distributing missionary letters in her earlier years and sewing quilts for mission organizations in her later years, Elva knit a broad international network of friends who supported one another in Christ through practice and in prayer.
The family is deeply indebted to the patience and love provided by Elva’s caregivers who lived with her at her home for nearly six years: Isatu Bah, Jody Kurtz, Andrea Grove, Erin Ford Stoltzfus, Leona Good, Janelle Schlegel, Laurel Beyer, Joyce Owusu, Jeanne Weaver, Jamie Witherspoon, and Dawn Areford. In her final months, she remained grateful to her caregivers and a joy to her family.
In honor of Elva’s life, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 13 at Faith Bible Fellowship Church, 151 Donerville Road, Lancaster, with family visitation at 10 AM and service at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Faith Bible Fellowship Church. The full obituary can be read at www.snyderfuneralhome.com.
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Condolences to the Family
August 20, 2016
Elva was such a big influence and help to me during my stressful college years. She was a prayer warrior, a quiet and loving spirit, and a great listener. I learned much from her and will always cherish our years together.
What a legacy of love she has left! Praise be to Christ!
Erin Stoltzfus
August 19, 2016
We were so sorry to only recently hear of Elva’s passing. She was a wonderful person to know. Prayers for the family. Susan Fprd
August 13, 2016
To Elva’s family – So sorry to hear of passing! She was a lifetime inspiration to me as she lead her Christ centered joyous, exemplary life. She noticed the small , yet important things in life, while keeping centered on the big picture.
She will be greatly missed by all! She brought such a blessing into our lives! We know she was looking forward to going home to be with her Lord and maker. We join together in prayer and praise to celebrate a life well lived!
Harold Good, 1st cousin (Sorry my wife, Jaye and I could not attend the memorial service in person – we will be there in spirit!)
August 13, 2016
Elva was a wonderful cousin. She was a wonderful mother. She will be missed by everyone who knew her and someday we will meet her again. My sympathy I extend to the family.
Emma Ebersole
August 11, 2016
My heartfelt sympathy to the family since the passing of such a wonderful, godly woman. Elva was my spiritual mother, mentor, and one of the great heroes of the faith to me. I treasure the times we spent together over the years and am very thankful to have been part of her life. I kept a journal each time we met to remember the wisdom she imparted and the prayers we prayed for our families, church family, and beyond. She will be greatly missed, but I know she looked forward to heaven and a new body.
Connie Kauffman
August 10, 2016
Al and EJ – so sorry to hear hear and read about the loss of your mother. What a wonder obituary, a testament of her love for the Lord and her family.
Michael and Christina Nye, your fellow Pennsylvania neighbors in New Mexico.
August 10, 2016
Praying for you all
Love you all
Mrs Wilber Good
Nelson and Leona Good
August 09, 2016
Al and family, Sorry about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care, love Gilbert and Toni Yuselew.
August 09, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers for comfort to her family and loved ones.
fondly the Mary & Tom Herington family
August 08, 2016
To the family of Elva Charles – What a great woman of God we have lost, but we would not wish her back from her “home” in glory, for which she longed so much. She prayed for so many of us, encouraged us, challenged us to stay close to the Lord. What a wonderful friend she was to us in our ministry! I’m sure you realize how much she prayed for each of you in the family and longed for each of you to walk with her Savior and Lord. We continue to pray that your circle will one day be complete in heaven. Our sympathies in your loss, Glenn and Verna Schwartz.
August 08, 2016
Manny and Family! Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Jackie Bill and Alexandra
August 08, 2016
To Elva’s family, you have our deepest sympathy. It is with deep sadness to hear of Elva’s passing. We loved Elva. It is such a blessing to know she is with her Savior who she praised constantly when in conversation with her. Elva was a loving mentor and friend to me/us the last 36 years. In a loving way, Elva knew how to encourage me/us to take the high road in dealing with the difficulties of life, and see how God sees each situation. She loved our family unconditionally, accepted us as we were/are, for which we will never forget. In fact, we still talk about the time she made us cookies without sugar! 🙂 -so many many wonderful memories. Even though these last many years we haven’t lived close to one another, our friendship remained. I will greatly miss her, but have the memory of her forever example of faithfully living a life that was pleasing to the Lord! Steve and I will keep your family in our prayers. Warmly, Becky Aldridge
August 08, 2016
Manny and Family! Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the love of God fill your hearts and bring you the peace that passes all understanding!
Love Glenny and Raffy
August 07, 2016
Sorry to hear of Elva’s passing. She was a wonderful person. We looked up to her and Mel as fine examples of lives lived for Christ and for others.
Dave & Heidi Heisey
