CHARLOTTE RANSOM HUNSUCKER of Dickinson, Texas, Ellijay, Georgia, and Clearwater, Florida, died on July 14, 2018, in Webster, Texas, following an extended illness and a hard-fought battle. Charlotte spent several hours with close family just prior to her passing from this life. She was 67.

Known as Char to many, she will always be remembered for her enduring optimism, generous nature, sharp sense of humor and dry wit. She was an incredibly strong and faith-driven woman, who received a double lung transplant in July 2013.

In the years following the procedure, Charlotte was determined to take advantage of her “bonus time,” as she called it, and did so vigorously.

She was born on Dec. 1, 1950, in Clearwater, Florida to real estate and insurance agent and gifted painter, John H. “Jack” and World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) and teacher Elizabeth W. “Dusty” Ransom. Charlotte grew up in Clearwater, attending Skycrest Elementary, Kings Highway Elementary, Dunedin Jr. High and Clearwater Senior High schools.

Charlotte developed an early love of the water, thus beginning her record of lifelong accomplishments in water sports and water safety

Her interest in sailing began in seventh grade upon joining the Clearwater Optimist pram fleet. She was an accomplished sailor, not only during the years she spent competing,but also at the helm of much larger sailboats in later years. She also won many awards as a teen member of Clearwater’s Pier Pavilion Swim Club swim team, and in eighth grade became a swimming teacher in the Red Cross Summer Swim Program, which was developed and managed by her mother Dusty. Soon, she reached the rank of Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, and eventually Instructor Trainer, the highest certification in Red Cross water safety.

Charlotte’s involvement in water safety and instruction continued for decades along with a deep love of the ocean and sea life, especially dolphins. She attended Florida State University and was a member of the FSU swim team. Afterward, she returned to Clearwater and continued her involvement in water safety activities.

In 1978, she married John Hunsucker in College Station, Texas. Together they raised two wonderful sons, who were the pride of her life.

Charlotte lived in Dickinson for 18 years, and first worked as a flight attendant for a local airline. She returned to school to receive her associate degree in nursing, started her medical career in 1981, working as an RN at UTMB and eventually for the Galveston County Public Health Department.

In 1996, she moved back to Clearwater where she accepted a position as Registered Nurse for the Pinellas County School System.

Wanting to spend more time with her sons, Charlotte started as an assistant golf pro at the Clearwater Country Club. The club was a family tradition; her father Jack retained his membership for 78 years after joining in 1924.

In 1999, she became the Vice President of Administration for the National Aquatic Safety Company (NASCO) and acted in this capacity until the time of her passing.

In 2002, she started experiencing lung problems. Due to Florida’s summer heat and humidity, in 2007 Charlotte moved from Clearwater to the north Georgia mountains where she bought a beautiful cabin near Ellijay in the Coosawattee River Resort area.

After greatly enjoying her mountain cabin for a number of years, she returned to her home in Dickinson to seek treatment from top doctors in Houston for the worsening state of her lungs.

Charlotte’s nursing background readied her as an active participant in her own care, often impressing caregivers with her knowledge of her own treatment requirements.

Due to her acute condition, Charlotte was placed on the list for a double-lung transplant and received a pair of donor lungs in 2013. Following an initially difficult period of rehabilitation in the hospital, the rate of her recovery increased rapidly. Charlotte eagerly left the hospital to return to a normal life without the need for oxygen and constant rest.

She was able to exercise regularly, to do chores and pursue interests around the house and community she couldn’t even have considered doing previously, and generally took great advantage of her new opportunity at life.

She danced, continuously, at her younger son Travis’ wedding, played with her older son Jack’s children without tiring and paddled a kayak around Key West Island in support of Travis’ swim around the island.

In short, she enjoyed her “bonus years” to the fullest, keeping a powerfully positive attitude all the while. And, after several years, when her donor lungs began to lose some capacity, she took that development well, too, always maintaining an optimistic attitude. She often reminded loved ones to never let anything steal their joy.

In her last days, she retained humor and intellect, continuing to show a strong love of family and friends.

A few weeks before passing, Charlotte imparted a message of hope during a transplant support group meeting. And, luckily, her son Jack and granddaughter Maybee were there to hear her perfect analogy for second chances.

Charlotte said that as a small child she saw a floundering fish left to die on a boat dock. She asked the man who caught the small fish for permission to throw it back in. He obliged and little Charlotte saw the fish regain its strength as it hit the water and swam away.

We are all just fish waiting to be thrown back in, she told the group.

It’s safe to say that Charlotte is free from pain and joyfully swimming with dolphins now.

Charlotte is survived by her husband, John Hunsucker, her sons, Jack and Travis, their wives, Bridget and Kelli, her brother, John, and his wife Sallie, and her two grandchildren, Maybee Roux and Johnny, who deeply love their Grandma Char.

In her honor, a celebration of life was held Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Crowder Funeral Home Chapel, Dickinson, Texas.

In addition, for her Florida family and friends as well as anyone else who was unable to attend the Texas gathering, another celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Clearwater, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association, the Dolphin Research Center (www.dolphins.org) or Donate Life in Charlotte’s name.