Charlotte Elsa Hart

Charlotte Elsa Droege Hart, 89, passed away November 28. She was a devoted loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her warmth, wit, theatrical talents, total dedication and love of her family and friends, strong Christian faith and her commitment to lead by example will be missed by all.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Jack, her sister Henrietta Lahti and her brother Henry “Hank” Droege. She is survived by her three children John Hart and his wife Judy of Saratoga, California; Mary Harvey and her husband Graham of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; and Teresa McBride and her husband Richard of Austin, Texas; her five grandchildren John (Scooter) Hart; Heather Harvey Hare and her husband Thomas, Alissa Harvey Daugherty and her husband C.J., Sharla McBride and Richard McBride, Jr., all who lovingly called her Sha Sha.

Charlotte was born October 11, 1921 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the youngest of three children to Henry and Emma Droege. She grew up in Chicago, teaching piano lessons and playing tennis and basketball while in high school. It was on the tennis courts that she met Jack Hart, the love of her life and her husband for 56 years.

Charlotte and Jack found their way south, after marrying and living a couple years in Washington D.C. They lived in Dallas, San Antonio and Atlanta before moving to Montgomery in 1973. Charlotte loved entertaining in her home, whether it was a holiday feast with family and friends, Jack’s office get-togethers, dinners for fellow church members, engagement parties or showers.

While raising their three children, Charlotte was the ultimate multi-tasking mother, being involved in all the children’s activities (baseball, softball, gymnastics, track, piano, voice, school, church, etc.). She was a busy volunteer, whether it meant being a Girl Scout leader for two troops at once, attending every gymnastics meet regardless of the location, helping get a girls’ softball league off the ground in the Atlanta area, or answering the call to be a Sunday school teacher. Always, Charlotte’s priority was her family and providing a loving home where family dinners were a daily constant, holidays were memorable, and vacations were filled with fun as well as learning experiences. She was always her children’s and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader, and her husband’s most devoted supporter.

In Atlanta, once John and Mary were in college, Charlotte earned her Realtor license and was a practicing Realtor. It came as no surprise that she was often the company’s top seller.

Charlotte’s love of the theater came to fruition in Montgomery. She became active in the Montgomery Little Theatre, where she had starring roles in many productions, including The Philadelphia Story, MacBeth, Flowers for Algernon, Another Part of the Forest, and The Heiress.

Charlotte combined her dramatic, creative and managerial talents with her faith by developing Christian drama programs. She was the Drama Director at Memorial Presbyterian Church for over 20 years where her Christmas and Easter dramas became popular community events, eagerly anticipated by many. At Grace @ Bell Road Presbyterian Church she continued her drama programs and instigated a “Hanging of the Christmas Greens” service for the Advent season. In her last Easter drama, she directed a special Tenebrae drama and played the part of Mary Magdalene. Charlotte was known not only for her dramatic plays and roles, but also for her own special humorous characters such as Maudie Belle. Charlotte also loved to bring Bible stories to life, reading them to children at church events.

Charlotte was a member of Shakespeare Players of Montgomery and the Pulpit Players supported by Huntington College. She loved going to the theatre, whether it was watching a world-class production at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival or gathering her friends for an evening at the Faulkner University Dinner Theatre.

Playing bridge was also a large part of Charlotte’s life. She always looked forward to attending or hosting bridge parties, as well as making the annual “bridge playing” trip with friends to the Helendorf Inn in Helen, Georgia.

Charlotte also enjoyed reading and teaching Sunday school to all ages. Charlotte had a passion for sports and played tennis until an injury sidelined her. Until the last few years of her life, she was an avid walker and practiced Tai Chi. She was a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, the University of Georgia, Texas A&M and all the colleges her grandchildren attended, and followed those teams faithfully.

Charlotte was so thankful for her family of friends, who devotedly visited her, prayed for her, sent her cards and delivered her fresh fruit and chocolates! Her friends and church family brought her such joy in her last years. The John Knox Manor Nursing Home staff’s devotion to providing professional Christian care will always be appreciated.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Tuesday, November 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Leak Memorial Chapel, 945 Lincoln Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36109. A private family graveside service will precede a resurrection service and celebration of Charlotte’s life on Wednesday, December 1, at 1:00 p.m. at Grace @ Bell Road Presbyterian Church, 5 Bell Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36117. Pastor Scott Lawry will officiate the resurrection service. A reception at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grace @ Bell Road Presbyterian Church, 5 Bell Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36117, or to John Knox Manor Nursing Home, 4401 Narrow Lane Rd., Montgomery, Alabama 36116. John Knox Manor, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was created by East Alabama Presbytery, Presbyterian Church USA.