Mrs. Charlotte Tournear passed away on March 27, 2023 at Aperion Care Princeton. She was born at home in Steeleville, IL to Virginia Mae McClure Schwebel and Charles August Schwebel. Both preceded her in death. She has two younger sisters; Dolores Blake survives her and Ruby Holland preceded her in death, and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.
Her husband, Rev. Prosper Tournear, preceded her in death. She had and is survived by their five children, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild: their four sons, John (Carolyn) Tournear of Decatur, IL, Charles Tournear of Princeton, IL, Tom (Joyce) Tournear of Dover, IL, Prosper Allen Tournear of Dixon, IL and one daughter, Susannah Tournear of Princeton, IL. Their two grandchildren are Sarah (Julius) Aigbe and Nathaniel (Quezia) Tournear and one great grandchild, Aurora Aigbe.
She went to Carthage College to study opera wherein she met the love of her life, Prosper. They were married two months short of 65 years before his death.
She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, Star (a masonic order for women), worked for several years at a restaurant in Knoxville, but (besides being a wife, mother and musician) her shining light was when Prosper signed her up for an art correspondence course. It changed the trajectory of her life. She eventually became a professional watercolor artist, with paintings all over the world. She considered her art a gift from God and a means of sharing God with others. The transparency of watercolors made her think of how God sees us.
She taught several art courses in Pittsfield, IL, and when she grew older, she stopped making the large paintings and began making birthday and sympathy cards for friends and family, and for several years, she made and painted all of her and Prosper’s Christmas cards (around 70 per year) by hand. She refused to accept money for these cards (people wanted to buy them on consignment), and most people who received them framed them and hung them on their walls. She faithfully undertook the role of a minister’s wife, be it directing choirs, having Sunday School in the living room, and listening to Prosper when he needed a private ear, all while raising five children, one with a handicap, and a menagerie of animals. Charlotte was very giving, kind, sweet, and a devout Christian.
Her visitation will be at the Princeton United Methodist Church this Sunday from 12:30 pm to 2:00 and a funeral at the same place directly after. Then her cremains will be taken to Quincy for a graveside service and burial at Greenmount Cemetery on April 15th at 1:00 pm, followed by fellowship for family and friends at the park across the street from the cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to UMCOR (Methodist version of the Red Cross in helping others) or the Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund (helps retired Pastors in need). Either can be accessed through any Methodist Church or sent to Susannah and she can pass it on to your memorial of choice.