OCTOBER 15, 1944 – JUNE 29, 2026
In the Care of Laird Funeral Home
Charlotte Ann Olds Kennemer quietly slipped through Heaven’s pearly gates to meet Jesus on June 29th, 2026.
Charlotte was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on October 15th, 1944 to Mary Kate Gilbreath Olds and Troy Olds. As the baby of the family, Charlotte was quite mischievous in her youth, especially during her teenage years when she’d often lead her suitors on car chases around town and through secret shortcuts that inevitably left tire tracks on a neighbor’s back lawn. Charlotte eventually let Brooks Kennemer catch her and they married on June 2nd, 1966. Together, Charlotte and Brooks built a beautiful life.
After graduating from Stephen F. Austin, Charlotte began her career as teacher. Later she continued her education by earning a Master’s degree from Texas A&M. This allowed Charlotte to work as a tenured professor in SFA’s College of Education until her retirement in 2005. As a professor, Charlotte focused on elementary education with an emphasis on early literacy instruction and according to RateMyProfessor was known to give tests that required her students to actually read their textbooks to earn a passing grade. With Brooks by her side, Charlotte spent her personal time as a young adult showing horses, traveling, and square dancing. In retirement, Charlotte opted for slower-paced activities like crochet, knitting, quilting, Bible study, and book club. Throughout her adult life, Charlotte was a faithful servant of the Lord and proud member of Perritte Methodist Church. Even with these professional and personal accomplishments, Charlotte’s greatest joys came when she and Brooks chose to adopt their sons, JT and Luke, and when she became Memaw to her beloved grandchildren.
Upon arriving to Heaven, Charlotte was greeted by her parents, Mary Kate Olds and Troy Olds, husband, Brooks Kennemer, her brother, Charles Bass, and her grandson, Jack Kennemer. Here on earth, Charlotte’s memory will live on through the friendships she held dear, the extended family she loved, and the sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren she cherished, including JT Kennemer, his wife Jodie, and their son, Jude, and Luke Kennemer, his wife, Paige, and their children, Calvin and Chloe.
A church service honoring Charlotte’s life will be held Saturday, July 11th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Perritte Methodist Church, 1025 Durst Street, Nacogdoches, Texas, followed by a graveside service at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Cemetery, 5127 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. In lieu of flowers, honorary donations in Charlotte’s memory may be made to Perritte Methodist Church.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charlotte, please visit Laird Funeral Home’s floral store.