Charlotte Lawson Findlay Jonkers

Charlotte Lawson Findlay Jonkers, 91, of Raleigh, NC passed away at her home on Friday, May 19, 2023. Born on May 23, 1931, and raised in Wakefield, Massachusetts, Charlotte was the youngest of six children. She knew her role as baby of the family and played it to perfection. After graduating from Wakefield High School, she followed her dream of becoming a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, flying the prestigious Golden Falcon route from Boston to Miami. Even though she regularly had dignitaries onboard, including future President Richard Nixon, Charlotte looked forward to landing in Miami and seeing the handsome Dutch gate agent, Reginald Jonkers, who later became her husband. While Reg studied at Florida State University, Charlotte managed the Florida/Georgia Welcome Center, a perfect fit for her love of people and hospitality.
Charlotte quickly settled in her new home and town when their young family relocated to Charlotte, NC, where she enjoyed raising their two sons, Craig and Jerry. Before long, Eastern Airlines called and asked Charlotte to recruit flight attendants for the airline, another perfect fit for her uncanny ability to read people and hire the most successful candidates. Charlotte's love of people and travel blended beautifully with her involvement in Charlotte, NC chapter of Silverliners and Friendship Force International.
Charlotte's ability to connect with people and easily make friends served her well when she moved to the Raleigh/Wake Forest area in 2000 to be closer to family. She was quick to lend a listening ear, offer a sincere compliment or join the party, especially during the 12 years she lived at The Lodge in Wake Forest.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Findlay, Jr. and Rose Fox Findlay; an infant son, James Scott Jonkers; her brother John Findlay III and sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Findlay, Catherine (Kay) Cheney, Geraldine (Gerry) Russell and Margaret (Peg) Moore; and her former husband Reginald Jonkers. She is survived by her son Craig (Wendy) of Raleigh, NC; her son Gerald of Prosperity, SC; six granddaughters: Meredith (Cole) Sloboda of Roanoke, VA; Allison Jonkers of Boston, MA; Caroline Jonkers of Chicago, IL; Stephanie (Thomas) Whelan of Belton, SC; Margaret (Maggie) and Heidi Jonkers of Prosperity, SC; great- grandson James Whelan; great-granddaughter Callie Sloboda; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Providence Church at 6339
Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh. Interment will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to North Raleigh Ministries at www.northraleighministries.com.