Charlotte (Keezel) Barrett
Mary Charlotte "Charlotte" Keezel Barrett, 95, of Mt. Crawford, VA went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Charlotte was born in her grandparents' home in Elkton, VA on October 22, 1930 to Robert Whitfield Keezel and Ruth (Farrar) Keezel. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Thomas Barrett, and a sister, Eleanor Seay Keezel, who died in infancy in 1929.
Survivors include her three children: Nancy Barrett Howes of Verona, VA, Linda Barrett of Fairfax, VA, and James Barrett (Suzanne) of Mt. Crawford, VA; five grandchildren: John Howes (Carrie), Amy Jo Howes (Jeremy Green), Stephen Howes (Jamie), Joseph Barrett (Savannah), and Emily Barrett Moore; and 10 great-grandchildren: Josie Howes, Zoe Green, and Silas Green (Amy Jo), Leah Howes and Bobby Howes (John), Grace Howes and Jack Howes (Stephen), Keira Barrett and Ryn Barrett (Joseph), and Elizabeth Moore (Emily).
Charlotte was raised as an only child in a loving, Christian home. In search of work during the Great Depression, her family moved from Elkton to the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA, where she graduated from George Washington High School. As a young adult, she attended Strayer Business College and worked in the Pentagon and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare where she met a young U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant who became the love of her life. Charlotte and Joe were married at Camp Stewart, GA on June 22, 1951, and enjoyed a marriage lasting nearly 70 years until his passing on May 2, 2021.
After raising three children, and then in her late 40s, Charlotte was determined to fulfill her dream of getting a college degree. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English from Douglass College/Rutgers University in 1985, followed by graduate studies in Seminary.
Central to Charlotte's life was her desire to serve God in whatever way she could be used. She was active in the Presbyterian church while living in New Jersey, serving in Deacon and Elder capacities. After moving to Virginia in 2004, Charlotte and her husband attended New Covenant Community Church in Weyers Cave. She was known as one who prayed for others and for her bold witness for Christ.
Charlotte's Shenandoah Valley heritage runs deep. She is a direct descendant of George Keezel (a.k.a. Kiesel, Keezle), founder of Keezletown (3rd great-grandfather), and a great-granddaughter of Mary Nicholas Keezel, locally renowned for having saved the Rockingham County Court records in June of 1864. While the records were being transported from the courthouse to east of the Blue Ridge due to the threat of Union Army advancement into the Valley, Union troops spied the wagon while it was broken down near her property and set it ablaze. Mary extinguished the fire with water and freshly cut green hay and kept the remaining records in her home until after the Civil War ended. Several of the "burnt books" are on display in both Dayton and Harrisonburg, VA.
Charlotte's interests led her to creative outlets where she enjoyed playing the piano and violin, writing poetry and stories, drawing, painting, knitting, crocheting, and of course, shopping! She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
The Barrett family is grateful for the outstanding level of care Charlotte received from the staff at English Meadows in Harrisonburg and, in her final months, from First Choice Home Health and Hospice.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, at 12:30 p.m. at New Covenant Community Church, located at 78 Somerset Drive, Weyers Cave, VA 24486, followed by interment at Elk Run Cemetery in Elkton, VA, located at 100 Elk Run Drive, Elkton, VA 22827, with Pastor Grant Ketron officiating. The services will be live-streamed and can be viewed on the funeral home website, www.johnsonfs.com, by clicking on the Tribute Wall.
