Maurine B. Charles

Maurine Leah Belton was born in Crowley, Louisiana and was the second oldest of seven children to parents Maurice and Leah Belton. Maurine led an adventurous life and was ahead of her time, often blazing a path where women did not often tread. With less than a high school education, Maurine worked as a buyer for Neimann Marcus; held government jobs as a flight tower controller in the western deserts of Arizona and New Mexico in the 1940's; held administrative positions in classified projects at White Sands Missle Range and Holloman Airforce Base in the 1950's; hotel and apartment management in the 1960's; and completed her professional career working for the Indian Health Service in Phoenix.
Maurine preferred to keep her personal life rather private, so there is a gap of information between 1930 and 1950. Maurine was married briefly to Irwin Charles in 1950-51, and had a son, Jack Maurice, born November 27, 1951. The nick name "Jackie" prompted him to change his name to "John" in 1956. Maurine was a very loving mother and rasied her son alone, which was quite the challenge in the 1950's and 1960's. Maurine made friends every where she went and was inspirational to many people. She will be remembered and cherished for being a free spirit, always on the go, never letting the grass grow too long beneath her feet. Maurine wished to be cremated; her ashes have been buried on a beautiful beach on the Big Island of Hawaii, next to sea turtle nests and forever crashing waves lapping nearby.

Maurine is survived by her son, John Charles; grand daughters Kendra Magee and Erin Barlow; great grandson Preston Barlow; and great grandson baby Magee on the way, due March 2, 2006.