Charlene Ann Jackson Davis, born October 28, 1947, in Perry, Florida, lived a life defined by devotion, tradition, creativity, resilience, and an extraordinary capacity to make people feel welcome.

The daughter of her beloved mother, Betty Sue Dickert and her step father, Thomas Andrew Jackson Jr., Charlene grew up in the small-town South and, though deeply proud of her Southern roots and the traditions that shaped her, Charlene possessed a remarkably open and progressive spirit. She believed passionately in women’s rights, equality, the arts, and the dignity and worth of every human being. She had little patience for prejudice and welcomed people from every walk of life. In many ways, she was a beautiful contradiction; a true Southern traditionalist with a decidedly liberal heart and mind.

On August 5, 1966, Charlene married the love of her life, Charles Davis. In August 2026, they celebrated an extraordinary milestone; 60 years of marriage.

Shortly after marrying, Charlene and Charles moved to Gainesville, where Charles attended the University of Florida. Charlene worked for the Director of Theatre at the University, an experience that sparked a lifelong love of theatre and the arts. She became an honorary member of the Florida Players, and her appreciation for the performing arts would later become an important part of the life she introduced to her own daughter.

Following Charles’ graduation, Charlene embraced life as an Army officer’s wife before their journey eventually took them to Tennessee, where she served as Director of Human Resources at Alexian Brothers Nursing Home on Signal Mountain.

In 1980, Charlene and Charles made Tampa their home. There, she combined her creativity with her entrepreneurial spirit as the owner and manager of Country Crosstitch, a cross-stitch shop that perfectly suited a woman who could seemingly make something beautiful out of anything.

Then, in 1984, came the event Charlene considered the most significant of her life; she and Charles adopted their daughter, Marinda Davis.

Motherhood became one of Charlene’s proudest roles. She immersed herself in

Marinda’s education at Independent Day School, serving as President of the Parent Faculty Association and as a member of the Board of Trustees. She was particularly instrumental in advocating for and promoting the school’s fine arts program; a fitting legacy for the mother of a little girl who would grow up to make the arts her life.

That little girl eventually became Emmy Honored choreographer, Marinda Davis, and few things gave Charlene greater pride than watching her daughter build a life and career in the arts.

From 2000 to 2003, Charlene served as Office Manager at BRW, a transportation planning company, but no job title could adequately describe the breadth of her interests or talents.

Charlene was, at heart, a homemaker in the grandest and most beautiful sense of the word. She believed a home should feel special. She loved cooking, crafts, genealogy, Southern culture, the Florida Gators, entertaining, and creating beauty for the people she loved. Her hospitality was legendary, and the holidays were where she truly shined.

Every December, Charlene transformed her Tampa home into a winter wonderland. Christmas was not simply decorated for, it was created. Her home became known throughout the community for its spectacular holiday displays, winning an award year after year. She understood that details mattered; the table, the menu, the decorations, the traditions, and most importantly, the people gathered around them. She was a true Southern lady; not because she simply observed traditions, but because she understood hospitality as an act of love.

Charlene was also deeply devoted to the Bahá’í Faith, whose principles of unity, equality, education, and acceptance reflected so much of what she believed about the world and the people in it. She was endlessly curious, with a particular passion for genealogical research and preserving the stories of those who came before her.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable chapters of Charlene’s life, however, was the one she never would have chosen. In 2014, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she was cleared, only to face another diagnosis in 2016; breast cancer. Over time, the disease mutated into triplenegative breast cancer and eventually metastasized to her lungs, bones, and brain.

For twelve years, Charlene fought hard. She endured harsh treatments, surgeries, setbacks, uncertainty, and more than anyone should ever have to endure, yet cancer never completely took away her instinct to care for someone else. During periods when she was not undergoing treatment herself, Charlene volunteered at Florida Cancer Specialists, helping other patients navigate the frightening and unfamiliar world of cancer treatment. Even while receiving treatment herself, she was known to comfort newly diagnosed patients, offering reassurance from someone who truly understood the road they were beginning.

Her family wishes to extend special gratitude to her longtime oncologist, Dr. David Wright, who walked beside Charlene throughout her twelve-year battle. Her family knows she would want his extraordinary care, compassion, and presence acknowledged.

Charlene fought courageously and stubbornly, refusing to surrender hope until there was simply no fight left to give.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Georgia Ann Carter Dickert and DeWitt Talmadge Dickert; her mother, Betty Sue Dickert; and her stepfather, Thomas Andrew Jackson Jr.

She leaves behind her adored husband and incredible partner of sixty years,

Charles Davis; her daughter, who cared for her until her last breath, Marinda

Davis; her younger brothers, Bob Sheffield (wife, Vivian Sheffield) and Thomas

Andrew Jackson III; her two adorable grand-dogs, Aidan Shaw Davis and Stanford Blatch Davis; her sister in laws, Lillian and Linda Diane Jinks; two nephews, Drew and Garrett Jackson; four nieces, including Sondra Deaconscu and Cathy Palomino; many treasured great-nieces and great-nephews including Kaci

Palomino Skinner and Ana Palomino, Glen Hammers, Grace Williams, Connor and Williams; and a circle of beloved friends who long ago became family, most notably, Julius and Navita James who she considered siblings in heart; their daughters, her nieces in heart, Erika James and Jessica James Hill, as well as dear friends, Rick Miller, Tom and Nancy Rykwalder, Triste Kerwin, Sherry Brocker, Pat Wilson, Christy McDonald, and Sharon Mayhew.

And then there were the cardinals. Charlene loved them. So when a flash of red suddenly appears outside a window, lands unexpectedly on a nearby branch, or seems to linger just a little longer than it should, her family hopes you will think of her.

In lieu of flowers, your tribute donations are welcome to go towards Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, helping families maintain financial stability while fighting cancer. https://fcsf.org/ways-to-support/donate/