{"id":1340,"date":"2024-07-27T17:42:45","date_gmt":"2024-07-27T17:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nfloptimist.org\/?p=1340"},"modified":"2025-10-15T02:08:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T02:08:49","slug":"loss-of-a-great-optimist-maryfrancis-maryfran-charles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nfloptimist.org\/?p=1340","title":{"rendered":"Loss of a great Optimist – MaryFrancis “MaryFran” Charles"},"content":{"rendered":"

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MaryFrances Charles (n\u00e9e Hopkins) passed away peacefully on July 16, 2024, in Tallahassee, Florida, at the age of 73. Born on May 1, 1951, in Auburn, New York, MaryFran grew up in a loving family and later moved to North Florida.<\/p>\n

MaryFran graduated from Canastota Central High School, where she participated in the chorus, 4-H Club, Girls Jazz Ensemble and was a member of the National Honor Society. Her passion for community service was evident early on and continued throughout her life as she volunteered with various organizations dedicated to youth and making families stronger. MaryFran served as President of the local Capital City Optimist Club from 2018 to 2019. She went on to serve the North Florida District Optimist International as District Secretary\/Treasurer from 2020 to 2021 and as Governor from 2023 to 2024. She has dedicated her time to enhancing the lives of others through her leadership and commitment to service.<\/p>\n

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 – Visitation 11:00 am – Service 11:30 am. Guerry Funeral Home, 2659 SW Main Street, Lake City, Florida 32025. Immediately following the service, a remembrance gathering will be held at Lifestyle Enrichment Center, 628 S.E. Allison Court, Lake City, Florida 32025. The family welcomes friends and loved ones to share your stories in remembrance of MaryFran\u2019s exceptional life.<\/p>\n

For her complete obituary, click the link below:\u00a0 \u00a0https:\/\/www.guerryfuneralhome.net\/obituary\/MaryFrances-Charles<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MaryFrances Charles (n\u00e9e Hopkins) passed away peacefully on July 16, 2024, in Tallahassee, Florida, at the age of 73. Born on May 1, 1951, in Auburn, New York, MaryFran grew up in a loving family and later moved to North Florida. MaryFran graduated from Canastota Central High School, where she participated in the chorus, 4-H […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1345,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-1340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","post_format-post-format-aside"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t