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Charlotte Strause Obituary
She was the daughter of Roy and Nellie Mae (Scott) Motherhead. She grew up in Okolona and as an adult moved to the East End of Louisville.
She was fondly known as "Toodie" by her family and friends growing up in Okolona. Her father owned the popular Motherhead's Ice Cream Factory, where she spent the majority of her time helping in the factory. One of Charlotte's more unusual "Claims to Fame" was when her father created a new ice cream flavor and decided to name the flavor Tutti Frutti after his daughter. The flavor won several national awards and later became so popular even the artist Little Richard used the name in his song lyrics.
Charlotte was a 1953 graduate of University of Cincinnati and The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She was a teacher at Southern High School for 15 years where she taught music and English. She was the conductor of the Southern High School Orchestra and conductor of their traveling Male Chorus as well. She was an active member of Broadway Baptist Church for 36 years where she was in charge of her Sunday School's weekly music and various additional music programs for the church. Music was her passion and she especially enjoyed sharing it with her close friends and family at Broadway Baptist.
She was a 50-year member of Delta Omicron Music Fraternity and a member of the MacDowell Music Club. Charlotte also taught piano privately for 35 years and was a member of the Woman's Club of Louisville.
She is survived by her three sons, Randy Strause (Rene'), Todd Strause (Michel) and Torey Strause (Sarah) and by her only daughter, Janey Strause McKenna (Peter), all of Louisville; and 12 grandchildren, Randy, Austin and Cameron Strause, Taylor, Loghean and Baylee Strause, Cody Humston-Strause, Cole and Caroline Strause, Sydney, Kelly McKenna and Megan McKenna Volkening.
Charlotte will be dearly missed by all who came to know her but especially by her family. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is finally at peace in heaven with her heavenly father. Our guess is that she is already behind the piano in heaven accompanying God's Choir of Angels.
Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Broadway Baptist Church, 4000 Brownsboro Road, with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Pearsons Funeral Home, 149 Breckenridge Lane.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Episcopal Church Home, in which the family would like to extend their eternal thanks for all of the loving care bestowed on their Mom.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charlotte Strause
Sponsored by The Strause Family.
Sydney McKenna
March 9, 2010
I love you!
Sydney
Cole Strause
March 9, 2010
I always thought Charlotte was a perfect music teacher. And that she would never pass away.
Signed:
Cole
Karen Cecil Wright
March 9, 2010
Charlotte taught me not to be shy to sing in public.
Southern High School Class of '64
Marilyn Markwell
March 9, 2010
Charlotte was my second cousin and she was just a few years older than I was. As a child I looked at her as a princess. She was a real lady and I always looked up to her.
Matt Akridge
March 9, 2010
I'll always remember Charlotte playing on the piano and Mom singing at Broadway Baptist.
Bobbie Clark
March 9, 2010
I will miss all the good times we had. We took many long walks to the river. You lost your diamond earring on our walk. You will be missed by all your friends!
Loghean Strause
March 9, 2010
When we all were in Watercolors and we were dancing in the kitchen and when we were at the beach and she kept on falling in the water!! She also always loved our back porch! I love you.
Jerry Rodgers
March 9, 2010
I loved her. My earliest memory of Charlotte Ray - at Okolona's First Community Thanksgiving Service, 1952, 9:00 a.m. in the morning playing "Bless This House" consummately on her violin, She wore a plaid, pleated kilt.
Louis Ray
January 12, 2010
This morning while talking to a good friend of Charlottes’ I found out about her passing. I did not know her as well as many who have left notes here but the news saddened me greatly. To me, Charlotte was both a friend and a living link to the past. Each time we spoke she helped bring the dry facts of historic research to life with wonderful stories of her childhood and teenage years growing up in Okolona. Charlotte was indeed a very special person and she will be missed by the many people whose lives she has touched.
Linda Garr Markwell
January 9, 2010
Charlotte Ray was not only my cousin and first piano teacher but a wonderful friend. I remember so fondly going to the "farm" for my lessons. She was truely a talented muscian, who gave of her talent in so many ways. I so enjoyed my visit with her in July. I will treasure my memories of her. With my sincerest sympathy to all of you. Love, Linda Garr
Jim Brooks
January 8, 2010
Sory that the weather kept us from the visitation yesterday. I have fond memories of going to Motherhead's Ice Cream Parlor as a kid. Later I was fortunate to have Miss Motherhead for Male Chorus in 1957. My wife, Vanita, had her for homeroom in our senior year. Miss M. helped 4 of us form the "Trojanaires" quartet which really was the starting point in my musical career and entry into the music ministry. Full of energy and always the encourager, she will always inhabit a warm spot in our hearts.
Jim and Vanita Brooks
SHS Class of '59
Sue Ball Jolly
January 7, 2010
I was in Ms. Strause's orchestra my senior year at Southern High School. It was a great experience and I enjoyed learning under her.
I also remember going to Okolona after church in the summer time for ice cream. I am praying for you as you go though this sad time. Just remember that we will see her again if we have trusted the lord for our salvation. God bless your family.
January 7, 2010
Dear Charlotte's Family,
Sorry I did not know any of you but your Mom and grandparents, Roy & Nellie. Charlotte and I spend many
hours behind the counters at Mother-heads Ice Cream many years ago working
side by side and having a great time.
Then down the street at Southern High School for a few more.It is wonderful just to be able to let others know what a genuine, kind and caring English teacher you were to so
many of us. I will keep you all in my
thoughts and prayers.
MaryEllen (Holloway) Jacobs
Nashville, TN
Southern Class of '56
January 7, 2010
Torey and Family,
Iam so sorry to hear about your lovely Mother. I know how
close you were to her. She was really nice to Steve. My
heart goes out to all of you.
Betty and Les Hammer
Kay Sandstrom Clark '59
January 7, 2010
I remember fondly my time with the Southern High School Orchastra under the direction of Ms. Motherhead and singing at holiday concerts. I feel privilaged to have know her. SHS Class 1959
Shirley Stillwell-Wooton
January 7, 2010
Family of Charlotte Ray...
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel this sorrowful road. I knew your mother in several ways... as a teenager who came to my dad's barn to ride her horse who was boarded there; as a neighbor when she and her mother lived on Preston near South Park; then as my homeroom teacher my senior year at Southern. Always and in all ways she was a special person, had a wonderful smile and a God-given musical talent that she used in His service. Treasure her memory in your heart and she will always be near.
Class of '59
Beth Combs
January 7, 2010
Randy: I was so sorry to hear of your Mothers death. No matter how old we get, it hurts to lose a parent. Take delight in all of your wonderful memories as they will get you through.
Beth and Keven Combs
Sharon Malee-Knaup
January 6, 2010
I didn't have you as a teacher, but we became freinds. For some reason I was thinking about you this week, as I had done many times. You were the best at Southern!
Larry &Bonnie Hopkins
January 6, 2010
You will be missed.Larry Hopkins and Bonnie (Sams)Hopkins class of 1959
Ruth Adkins Robinson
January 6, 2010
Southern High in the 50s was a time and place where teachers were held up as heroes. Ms Charlotte was the exemplar of all that being a heroic teacher meant. Dedicated, determined and expecting everyone who stepped up to the piano to also step up to life in outstanding ways. We honor Ms. Charlotte and her piano in memory today and say Rest Well, Teacher.
January 6, 2010
She will be missed dearly from the staff and patients alike at FMC of Suburban. Our prayers are with your family during this time!!
January 6, 2010
It was always womderful to see your Mom at Broadway with her welcoming smile! May God comfort your family at this time. You are in our prayers.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Stark II
January 6, 2010
Ms. Charlotte,
Well you were single-handedly the most influential teacher in my life. I will Never forget all of the reese's cups and your positive supportive nature. You were one never to disappoint. And certainly a stickler for disciplined practice. The holidays you had so much fun with. I loved that you played the Bach Toccata and Fugue outside your upstairs window for the trick or treaters. I carry that tradition on today at my house. I love picturing you accompanying the choir of angels. Most certainly with a jar of reese's cups instead of a tip jar. You are forever in my heart. All my love to you and your family.
January 6, 2010
Katie and I adored Miss. Charlotte....she will be greatly missed! Jennie Beth and Katie McDonald
Tara Anderson
January 6, 2010
Mrs. Strause was my piano teacher when I was a child and I learned so much from her. I still love to play and I can thank her for that. My sympathies are with the family.
Kathryn Ades
January 6, 2010
Our sincere sympathy to all of you. Your Mother was my friend from WAY back. We went to Monens Drug Store when you all were tiny and drove car pool. I can not tell you what a shinning STAR Charlotte was and how she will be missed. All our love, Kay and Jerry Ades
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