Charlotte Lorraine (Fyfe) Morecraft passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. She was 89 years old.
Charlotte’s life experiences were many and her impact notable. Upon stepping down from her post as the inaugural Marshall Main Street President in April 2000, it was reported in the Daily Chronicle that she “had the vision to look beyond what was to what could be.” And in April 1995, after being elected to the Marshall City Council, Charlotte wrote to thank voters in the fourth ward saying, “I’ll do my best.” We can say with certainty that our family—and indeed our community—are better off as a result of Charlotte’s vision and her commitment to doing her best.
The daughter of Hugh Fyfe Sr. and Emily Wade Fyfe Belt, Charlotte was born July 28, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan. Charlotte’s first nine years were spent in Motor City, her father an auto worker and her mother an English immigrant. She was the second of two children—her elder brother Hugh Fyfe Jr. survives. As Charlotte recalled, and corroborated by the 1940 census records, the block was teeming with young families like her own, representing a global community working together in pursuit of a greater future. Charlotte proudly told stories even decades later about navigating this city life as a child.
When Charlotte turned nine, the family visited a farm on the Clark County and Edgar County line road just south of Oliver, Illinois. That summer the purchase of the farm was understood to be “an investment” made by her father. In reality, it was soon to become the family’s home. The farm was accessible by crossing a creek, had no running water nor electricity, and was a far cry from the urban upbringing she had known. After relocating permanently to Illinois the following year, the family of four lived in a newly-dug out basement while a home was built above them. Charlotte spent these years riding horses, helping her mother in the garden, learning to bake and sew.
Charlotte proudly held on to her Detroit roots as she aged, spending at least a few summers back in the city. She often recounted a particular summer during which she worked in a clerical role downtown. Coached by her Detroit-based aunt, she learned to take the bus to her interview where she typed faster than she ever had and spoke with just as much urgency so as to not give off the appearance of small-town girl. It worked and she got the job.
Following her graduation from Paris High School in 1951, Charlotte married Fred Morecraft, her husband of nearly 70 years. The couple told the story of their meeting in a 1995 issue of the Marshall Choice:
“How'd you two meet?” Joe McCammon asked, wondering how Fred had managed to hoodwink Charlotte. She answered, "I was with Fred's cousin Anna one night, and we were cruising the Marshall square.“ Fred interrupted, "Back then, we didn't call it cruising-just simply driving around.” … Later, Anna would discover that she had left her billfold in Fred's car, so she telephoned Fred at his home. Fred announced that he indeed had the billfold but had driven everywhere looking for the two girls. As a result, Anna would have to gas up his car if she wanted her billfold back. "So we met at Earl Sumption's Standard Station. There, it took just 13 cents to fill Fred's tank,” Charlotte remembered.
(We are not confident leaving the billfold was accidental.)
They wed October 18, 1953, at Asbury Methodist Church just down the road from her family’s farm. She was stunning in white, and he beamed by her side. The two honeymooned through the south, where they spent too much on hotels and ventured well outside their comfort zone. (For those that knew her well—two traits she carried just as much throughout her life.)
As wedding gifts, Charlotte received several pieces of Fostoria glassware, though not enough to host a complete dinner party. While Fred was serving in the Korean War soon thereafter, Charlotte worked in Terre Haute, and she cleverly set the couple up to enjoy a well-appointed home upon Fred’s return. Charlotte provided rides to several other young women who were also working across the river, and each week, she would use the excess gas money the girls gave her to purchase another piece of Fostoria, rounding out her collection.
This commitment to homemaking was evident in home after home, beginning with the young couple’s house at 715 N Fifth Street in Marshall. Her favorite house in town at the time, she recalled she “just happened” to drive by the home after work one day and noticed it was for sale. Fred thought the house too expensive, while Charlotte maintained the cost was justified because they would have needed to buy a second car had they gone with a less expensive option in the country. This home, which welcomed children Fred C. Morecraft (Angie), Molly Morecraft (Larry), and Jeni Polinsky (Rich), was followed by the country house Fred built on the Clarksville Road and the story-book pink house at 307 Poplar Street, both of which played host to memories for grandchildren Penny, Danielle, Nate, Samm, Melanie, Tanner, Mitch, Andy, Abby, Ali, Emmy, Mae, Violet, Reese, and Tiara.
Charlotte worked tirelessly for her family and her community. As Fred, Molly, and Jeni grew, she worked as a teacher’s aide at South Elementary School and legal secretary. She also served on the Marshall City Council and advanced the Garden Club, Civic Women’s Club, Tree Commission, Library Committee, Chautauqua Committee, Cub Scouts, and Marshall Mello-Players in various capacities. The renovation and expansion of the Marshall Public Library, the creation of the Marshall Main Street Program, and the creation of the former 6th Street Park were among Charlotte’s proudest achievements. She and Fred also renovated 514 Archer Avenue, saving the historic building from demolition. These merits, among others, led to Charlotte being awarded the key to the City of Marshall and being mentioned in the local papers more than 725 times over the years.
When asked in the fall of 2023 about her impact, Charlotte attributed much to “playing fast and loose with the rules” as well as boldly letting her collaborators know what she thought needed to happen. She was unafraid to lead, and through it all, she was unapologetically herself. She taught us to dream big, read a map, take up space, drive the convertible, host the fancy dinner, be bold in our thinking, and work in pursuit of a greater future for ourselves and for others.
With gratitude, so many of us can say, Charlotte, your best was great.
A visitation will be held Friday, January 12 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Marshall First Christian Church with a service in honor of her life at 6:00 PM. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Marshall Public Library or to the Clark County 4-H Foundation
