July 23, 1923- April 14, 2018
Charlotte was born on July 13th, 1923 in Yakima Washington, to Ray Robert Randall, and Clara Mae Hall. Charlotte attended Roosevelt grade school, Franklin Jr. High, Yakima HS, and Yakima Valley Junior College (2yr. college) where she majored in Business Administration and graduated in 1943.
Growing up she loved to ice skate, bike ride, climb trees, swim and especially dance. Charlotte took dancing lessons from Arthur Murray and won a bronze medal. She continued to love to dance, and later in her life when she couldn’t dance she loved to watch “Dancing with the stars”.
Charlotte was quite musical, as was her sister, Leota. Charlotte played the violin in the Yakima Civic Symphony. She sold her violin when she moved to Seattle to a young girl who played in the Seattle Symphony. During her teen years she belonged to the Order of Rainbow for girls.
Her father had two horses and he tried to teach her to ride, but she’d let the horse have his way, and he’d always return to the barn. Her father sold their ranch in Yakima to the city and it is now called Randall Park.
Her career with the railroad began in 1943 as a steno clerk, eventually moving up the ladder to Executive secretary to the Western passenger traffic manager, and later to Supervisor in charge of hiring and training the stewardesses on the North Coast train, which went from Seattle to Chicago, and retired in 1983 after 40 years.
Charlotte’s greatest passion was traveling. She’d been to Hawaii several times, Japan, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Jamaica, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, Guam , several trips to Mexico, The Caribbean islands, Spain, Morocco, the Greek Islands, Turkey, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and France. Canada, plus every state in the United States.
Charlotte met her husband in 1991 in Yakima at her 50th class reunion. She had known both Bob Walker, and his wife Marylou Walker from high school. Bob’s wife had recently passed away. After connecting again, having lunch, and talking about old times, they married in January 1992.
She and Bob built a duplex in Ballard and lived there until, their move to Norse Community Home, where they shared an apartment until she passed.
Charlotte is survived by her husband of 26 years, Robert Walker, daughter-in-law, Susan Gilman (Tony), her nephews, Gary Batie (Laura), Greg Batie (Mary), Bob Randall, as well as 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren , many great nieces and nephews.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her, Father Ray, Mother Clara, Brother Ray, and Sister Leota.
Charlotte, with her big blue eyes, big smile and loving heart will be missed by all.