Charlotte Ann Cyphers

Charlotte Ann (Siler) Cyphers of Portland, Oregon passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on September 12th, 2025.

Charlotte was born on May 28, 1945 in Cherokee, Oklahoma to Charles and Dorothy Siler. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, her sisters Linda Siler and Carol Hardzinski, and her husband David Grant Cyphers. Charlotte being the first grandchild, was considered the princess of the family, and lovingly doted on. Her brothers and sisters followed along shortly after, and Charlotte adored them all. Linda (who passed away at 6 months), Carol-her dearest friend, and beloved brothers Randy and Kevin. When Charlotte was 11, Charles and Dorothy made the decision to move to Newberg, Oregon in search of new job opportunities

Charlotte graduated from Columbia Christian High School in 1963. As a young adult she excitedly ventured into the world of business. Her first job being with United Independent Grocers, Charlotte focused on secretarial work where she excelled. Often, she would work as the church secretary which brought her joy to serve the Minister and congregation. In that season, Charlotte began to understand the beautiful gift of God's grace. She then decided she needed to be baptised again with this new understanding. She was baptised by David not long after they were married. Charlotte was introduced to David, the love of her life, in the summer of 1965 by his brother Steve and Steve's wife Sharon. Charlotte loved the movie The Sound of Music, and patterned her and David's wedding after it; they were married on January 22, 1966. She loved being married. She continued working outside of the home and began a long career in the world of retail. You may remember finding her on a Saturday afternoon at the local Mervyn's. Wherever she worked she spread joy, bringing her beautiful smile and the light of Christ.

Charlotte loved to improve upon their many homes well before "home improvement" was popular. In their early days of marriage, she and David moved between several rentals. Charlotte was cleverly crafty, and always found a way to bargain with the landlords on the cost of rent for what improvements she could make. Paint and wall paper projects were some of her favorites. In 1971 she began to get ill from the smell of the fresh paint she had just applied in their home. Shortly after they found the reason, she was pregnant! The couple then moved to a home in SE Portland. Their first child, daughter Desiree Ellen (Desi) was born that November of 1971. They loved living in this area of Portland, and as Desi began to attend school, Charlotte saw the importance of being involved with the school. She created her own position within the PTA board at the school, and was considered the school "chaplain". She began all of their meetings with prayer, and encouraged prayer over the staff and students alike.

Charlotte had a long battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis. In around 1977 she had gone into a flare. Her doctor at the time had new insight into the illness that becoming pregnant could actually be beneficial for her body. This thrilled Charlotte because she desired to have more children. In May of 1978 her son Jonathan David (Jon) was born, and she went into remission! Jon brought a miracle along with him. It was around that time that David and Charlotte were offered the opportunity to move to a beautiful home on the property of their church, with the caveat that they would be the caretakers in exchange for rent. Of course Charlotte saw this as an opportunity to host traveling pastors, guests and events. All of which fell in line with her gifting of hospitality. They all loved that home and the work they did for the Lord there, but in 1983 the family moved to the St. Johns area to be closer to Charlotte's family and buy their first home.

Charlotte fell ill in her late 30s with a mysterious illness. Her Mother Dorothy remembered an odd illness from Charlotte's childhood that nearly took her life at age 2, this was all too familiar. In 1947 they didn't have an explanation for it but Dorothy remembered the doctor having one small note about celiac disease, something they knew little about. Now, in the 80s there was a test that could be done. It was not long after that Charlotte received the official diagnosis of celiac disease. Her life was saved once again. Charlotte now with a limited diet, became a life long potato eater. Baked potatoes, hashbrowns with cheese, and french fries. They were still her staple even in her last days, when she often requested fish and 'chips'.

Charlotte was ahead of her time in many ways, her understanding of the need to support her children in school, caring deeply for her home, pursuing her giftings, and sharing the grace of God. She loved continued education for adults, and chose to further her education as an adult. Charlotte's gift of hospitality continued as she opened her home to many with a need while having no expectations, only that they might know they were loved.

She adored her nieces and nephews and found unique ways to make that known to them, to share Jesus with them, and to make sure they knew how special they were. She was thrilled to welcome her new son-in-law Orvin, Desi's husband, into their family in 1995. Her son Jon married Katrice in 2001, and Charlotte was delighted to have a second daughter in her life. As Charlotte became a grandmother, she began to ponder something greatly… what was the most treasured knowledge she knew and could lovingly pass on to them. She then knew what it had to be, what had made the biggest impact on her own life, understanding God's grace. Truly her most treasured gift, Charlotte's grandchildren took on a special place in her heart. Hannah, her first grandchild and only granddaughter, who gave her the honorary name of "Maga" remembers Charlotte showing that grace when she sang Amazing Grace to her time and again. She continued this on when her second grandchild Nicolas was born. She and David both had very special relationships with their grandchildren and together they welcomed Hannah, Nicolas (born to Desi and Orvin), and their third grandchild Desmond (son of Jon and Katrice). David passed away suddenly in 2009 shortly after Desmond was born. At a time of great grief in Charlotte's life, her grandchildren became even more endeared to her. Then came her fourth and fifth grandsons, born to Jon and Katrice, Nathaniel and Christian. She would refer to all 5 of them as "The Best Thing In Her Life", and each one was her favorite. Nicolas recalls moments of deep encouragement that only Grandma could give. Desmond, Nathaniel and Christian spent many summers with Grandma as well as enjoying her many visits to their home in Northern Washington where she would ride the train to see them. The last ten months of her life were blessed with the newest addition, her great-grandson Latrell, Hannah's son. Who graduated Maga to the grand title of GG.

In 2019 Charlotte suffered a stroke. Though it altered her life in many ways, it could not keep her down. She continued to participate in some of her favorite hobbies, like sewing. She even left her Speech Therapist speechless when she sewed her the most beautiful sundress. Charlotte's request to spend her last years at home while being cared for by family, was honored by her daughter Desi. She had many blessed visitors in her final days including her son Jon and his family, nieces, nephews, cousins, church members and friends. Just a week before she passed her last words were, "I love you", to her grandson Nick who often sat by her side gently holding her hand. Charlotte passed away very peacefully, with what looked like a smile across her face.

Charlotte is survived by her Daughter Desiree Dean of Portland, husband Orvin. Granddaughter Hannah Dean of Portland, great-grandson Latrell Summerfield. Grandson Nick Dean of Eugene. Son Jonathan Cyphers of Bonney Lake, Washington, wife Katrice, grandsons Desmond, Nathaniel, and Christian all of Bonney Lake. Brother Randy Siler of Oregon City, wife Carlene. Brother Kevin Siler of Gallatin TN, wife Angie. Many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

It was Charlotte's wish that in lieu of flowers, donations would be made to AMIRacle Foundation Inc. in honor of her beloved friend Amir Fowler who showed Charlotte that truly, "Beautiful People Don't Just Happen." You can connect with their foundation here; A MIRacle Foundation Inc.

Charlotte's family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for all the prayers, phone calls, visits and many other acts of kindness shown during this time. Special thanks to the Piedmont and Mallory congregations: Brothers Frederick Berry, Ray Ellison. and Mike Lewis. Sisters Tresa Berry, Becky Ellison, Geneva Snow, and Anandi Thompson. HONORARY PALLBEARERS; Nicolas Dean, Desmond Cyphers, Nathaniel Cyphers, Christian Cyphers, John Cyphers, Jim Cyphers, Josh Cyphers, Mark Hardzinski, and Daniel Siler.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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