Charlotte Winford Zehring, passed into eternity on July 21, 2025, at home, with her family by her side after being diagnosed with brain cancer in December 2024. Born February 9, 1955 in Wayne County TN, Charlotte was the embodiment of grace and love from the very beginning. Charlottes's legacy is one of a servant's heart with a smile, grace, and the enduring mark she left on every life she touched. She is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Christine Winford, her stepdaughter, Kelsey Zehring and father-in-law Ralph Zehring. Charlotte is survived by her husband, Kyle Zehring and mother-in-law Sandy Zehring of Memphis, TN; a sister, Margaret Winford Coffman and husband Larry (deceased) of Las Vegas, NV; two brothers Tom Winford and wife Diane of Cape Coral, FL and Frank Winford and wife Beth of Horseshoe Bay, TX; and eight nieces and nephews: Krystal, FW, Miles, Kirbi, Thomas, Allison, Hannah and Spencer. Additionally, she had many cousins who were so special to her. Charlotte, a long-time Memphis resident, graduated from Lausanne School in 1973. She furthered her education at Queens College in Charlotte, NC and Southwestern at Memphis, now known as Rhodes College where she earned her BA degree. She received her MS degree in Education from Memphis State University in 1983. Her teaching, coaching, and counseling spanned a total of 43 years at both Lausanne and ending with St. Mary's Episcopal School from which she retired in 2019. Charlotte was recognized with numerous awards during her career at St. Mary's School and most notably two national awards: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation 2007 Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction Award and the 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award in Washington, DC. She was a true teaching professional with a love of learning and the ability to connect with her students in a very special way. Services will be at Mission Church, 6000 Briarcrest Ave in Memphis at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 2 with visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. As we prepare to celebrate Charlotte's extraordinary life, the family graciously requests that donations in her memory be made to St. Mary's Episcopal School in memory of Charlotte Winford Zehring. The school was so close to her heart. Its address is 60 Perkins EXT, Memphis TN 38117. Charlotte's light will forever illuminate the paths of those who were blessed to know her.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Daily Memphian on Jul. 25, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Charlotte Zehring

4 Entries

Brittany Blockman

August 1, 2025

I first came to know Mrs. Zehring as my whip-smart, eloquent, and humorous 7th grade literature teacher at St. Mary’s who brought the depths of written text to life for us and helped inspire my love for literature, poetry, and writing. Beyond being a passionate, devoted teacher whose class was on par with the depths of the best college courses, she had a big heart for her students, and her door was always open to us.
Through the years, Mrs. Zehring became so much more than just a teacher to me: a loving, comforting presence who supported me through the illness and loss of my mother to cancer while at was a student at St. Mary’s; an admired life mentor; a second mother to me after I lost my own; and one of the most impactful people in my life.

Mrs. Zehring is one of the most extraordinary human beings I have known — a true soul friend not only to me, but to countless others. She went above and beyond to care for others and connect deeply in a way that made those around her feel seen and understood. I was always in awe of the insight, clarity, depth, and kindness she brought to every moment. I knew from a young age that she was someone I always wanted to know and fortunately, our connection continued beyond my St. Mary’s days. Every visit back to Memphis always entailed a joyful visit with her and more recently, she came to know my children, who also adored her.

Mrs. Zehring was a model of resilience to me, as she overcame and pushed forward in life despite personal tragedy and loss. I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her care, wisdom, and exemplary manner of being of in the world. People have often asked me how I didn’t fall apart when I lost my mom at such a formative age. I always answer that I had some amazing adults around me holding me up — special people (many of them St. Mary’s teachers) who went out of their way to help me when they didn’t have to and when it wasn’t necessarily convenient. Mrs. Zehring was one of those people. I am still amazed by the support she (and others) extended to me during such a difficult time. I hope that my own children will be so fortunate to have deep connections with teachers like Mrs. Zehring someday.

Mrs. Zehring: You have been an earthly guardian angel to me and made me feel less alone in a difficult time in my young life and beyond. I feel blessed at crossing paths with you in the physical realm and will miss everything about you – your warm and loving presence, your smile, your kind voice, your hugs, your sense of humor and laugh, your soulful eyes, your deep goodness, your profound wisdom. Your influence, love, and inspiration knows no bounds and you will be amongst us reverberating infinitely. I know that I and all who were connected to you on this earth will eternally continue to feel your loving spirit and be inspired by you. We are with you always. I know our bond is unbreakable. Sending love, light, peace, and healing to all of Charlotte’s cherished family, friends, and all of the SMS community.

I wish I could be at her services on Aug 2 but will unfortunately be unable to travel to Memphis at that time.

With deep admiration, gratitude, and eternal love for you Mrs. Zehring,
Brittany Blockman (SMS ’99)

Love, Brittany Blockman (SMS '99)

Sent Flowers

Lisa Sikes

July 26, 2025

Charlotte was one of those upperclassmen at Lausanne of whom I was totally in awe. Her kindness and welcoming smile were infectious. I stopped by her classroom quite often at St Mary´s during her first year these, as I was teaching drama. Charlotte had a wonderful sense of humor and was able to tell stories about her classroom experiences that both provided entertainment and showed her love for her students.

Staff of Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery

July 25, 2025

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results