Betty Joann Charles journeyed to our Lord on April 3, 2021 at the age of 74.

Joann is preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth and J. Norman Charles, brother J. Kenny Charles and nephew Michael Reddig.

Joann is survived by her daughter Sandy (Lacerda) Zeigler and husband Jonathan of Harleysville, PA and their two children Alexandra and Skilar; and her daughter Sylvia Lacerda and husband Mark Frisbie of Lawn, PA.

Joann is also survived by her siblings and their families: brother Jim Charles and wife Charlotte of Columbia, PA, brother John Charles and wife Sharon of Lititz, PA, brother Marvin Charles and wife Ginny of Lancaster, PA, brother Mervin Charles and wife Laurel of Millersville, PA, sister Janete Weaver of Hurlock, MD, and sister Ivete Chamberlain and husband Fred of Laurel Springs, NJ.

Joann was born in Lancaster, PA. Her parents farmed land that is now Crossgates Golf Course in Millersville, PA. She attended Manor Mennonite, a two room school. Going into her teenage years, the family moved to Brazil as missionaries. They moved several times eventually living on a coffee farm in the state of Paraná, where they blended farming partnerships with pastoral ministry. In Brazil, Joann and her siblings attended school and participated in church events. We invite you to read "Heaven on Earth, Family Style" by J. Norman Charles and Sharon Charles which chronicles their mission work in Brazil.

In 1978, Joann and her family moved back to the United States to assist her parents Norman and Betty Charles in the early years of Abundant Living Ministries ("ALM"). In addition to providing loving care of her Grandma Wenger, she took great joy in serving as ALM's counselor for children.

In 1987, Joann and her family moved to Juazeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil as missionaries, and collaborated in starting the Cristo Vive Church that is still thriving today. In 1996, Joann opened "Everyday English", a school dedicated to English as a second language. For 19 years she taught English to adults and children. The school moved several times, finally landing at a 2-story building on Avenida Pref. Carlos Cruz. Her school was on the first floor and she lived on the second floor. We invite you to browse the Everyday English FB page: https://www.facebook.com/EverydayEnglishSchool .

Joann was a strict teacher, intent on ensuring that her students were fluent in English by the time they successfully completed the four year course. But students soon learned that the stern teacher had a heart of gold. Her students became her second family. Joann would often send pictures to her daughters on Mother's Day and her birthday showcasing the many tokens of affection given by current and former students. In addition to teaching classes, Joann organized several group trips enabling her students to visit the United States to put their English skills to use. Joann's family visited her as often as they could and shared many special memories on these trips. During her time in Brazil, Grace Chapel Church supported Joann as a missionary and she participated in their Mission Conferences when stateside.

In 2015, Joann moved to Lawn, Pennsylvania to be close to family. Joann loved completing Sudoku puzzles, anything the color blue, and caring for plants. Her grandchildren were very important to Joann. She enjoyed New Year's Eve celebrations with granddaughter Alex and sleepovers with grandson Skilar. Joann was proud of her students and continued corresponding with them after leaving Brazil. Her Brazilian friends remained a large part of her life, especially Pedro who she considered an adopted son. She spent a lot of time watching birds, squirrels and deer out her windows. She was blessed to live near some of her childhood friends who all celebrated their 70th birthday together and formed the "Golden Girls Club". But first and foremost, Joann cherished her time back in Pennsylvania because it was full of long talks and good food (gluten-free please!) with family and friends.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in Joann's name to Grace Chapel Church (2535 Colebrook Rd, Elizabethtown, PA 17022; link – http://gracechapelcares.org/ ), or to Abundant Living Ministries (link – https://www.abundantlivingministries.org /)