Charlotte Mccomas

Charlotte Katherine (Reeves) McComas was one of 6 sisters born to Katherine (Schneider) Reeves & Charles Reeves. Born on October 1, 1935 in Nebraska City, Nebraska, she was the first of the children to be born in an actual hospital. Charlotte attended Nebraska City Public School and Brownville Public School, from which she graduated high school in 1953. Following graduation, she and Leonard “Mike” McComas were united in marriage on June 5, 1953. The couple was blessed with a daughter Pamela, and they made their home in Brownville.

Charlotte held many occupations throughout her life. She worked as a seamstress at G&S Sewing Factory in Auburn & Pendleton Woolen Mills in Nebraska City. She served as a security guard for Per Mar Security at the Cooper Nuclear Station, and then went to work at Peru State College. It was at Peru State that she worked until her retirement in 1998. During her times working at her full time jobs, Charlotte also helped on the Spirit of Brownville. Her biggest pride was her position as the Brownville Village Clerk for 31 years.

Charlotte was a member of the Brownville Christian Church, and loved attending regularly when life allowed her. She introduced her love of God to her family down to her great-granddaughters. She loved having them in attendance with her on Sundays and special holidays. Church was very dear to Charlotte, where she enjoyed the wonderful music and of course congregating at a Church she felt a part of.

Charlotte had many hobbies that she enjoyed. One of them was being a seamstress, and making her daughter’s wedding dress, along with all the bridesmaids and flower girl. She made beautiful clothes for people, doll & Barbie clothes for her daughter, granddaughter & great-granddaughters, and quilts. Charlotte could hand stitch a quilt better than any machine could stitch one. With a steady hand and a great eye for detail, Charlotte could stitch anything for anyone. She also enjoyed her knitting, and shared her love of knitting and quilting with her oldest great-granddaughter Kataleena. Charlotte enjoyed reading western books and spending time with her family.

Charlotte loved many things in her life, but her love for her family was very important to her. Taking trips to South Dakota with her youngest sister Donna to see another sister Hazel; or going to see the cranes in western Nebraska. Driving to the many events that her great -randdaughters participated in, you could count on her and Mike to be there. Whether it be in the hot sun watching a ball game, 4H events, or sitting and watching a gymnastic recital or a school concert; there just wasn’t much that was missed. Charlotte’s world was very much centered around what her family was doing, and especially what her two great-granddaughters Kataleena & Adreannah were doing.

As Charlotte’s health deteriorated, in October of 2014 she entered the Good Samaritan Society in Auburn. Always embracing life for what it was, she adjusted well to the staff there. So well in fact that she had quite the cheer team that was always there for her. Charlotte loved to see the aides & staff walk, or run by her room and yell out “Hi Charlotte!” Or how they would pop in her room to steal candy out of her candy bowl; when really she was just luring them in. She enjoyed devotions, crafts, bingo, manicure day, and various other activities held. Charlotte knew many people, and even as her body was fading her memory did not. She loved to gossip and chit chat, always had a little to say about a lot. Conversation could range from the weather, Brownville Gossip, political debate (she may have given her youngest great-granddaughter a book on Hillary), to farm life and how many cows her daughter was taking care of, to her favorite topic of her two great-granddaughters. She was able to recall everyone by name even on her last day, the love of talking kept her sharp and quick witted to those that loved to harass her the most.

Surrounded by family, Charlotte passed away on February 4th, 2016, having reached the age of 80 years, 4 months, 3 days. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Leonard McComas, sister Grace Hummel, sister Betty Moeller, sister Hazel Holland, sister Frances Reeves, and brother-in-all Alfred Hummel.

Survivors include her daughter Pam and husband Larry Helmick of Auburn; grandchildren Jason Helmick of Council Bluffs, IA., Natisha Helmick-Winkelman of Brownville; great-grandchildren Kataleena Helmick & Adreannah Winkelman of Brownville; sister Donna Reeves of Maryville MO, brother-in-laws Robert Moeller of California, Duayne Holland of Tabor, South Dakota; plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be Tuesday, February 9, 10:30 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Brownville. Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00.

Memorials are suggested to family choice.



Livestream viewing of funeral available at: https://livestream.com/accounts/13846112/events/4800546