Charlotte Leader

Charlotte (Sewell) Leader passed through the gates of Heaven on March 11, 2016. She was 88 years old. She was a life-long educator, with a long career in early elementary education in Phoenix, AZ. Retirement did not slow her down as she became one of the founding teachers for the Durango Adult Education Center, serving as an adult education specialist for over 20 years. Charlotte was recognized in 2003 as the Volunteer Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Department of Education/Colorado Adult Education Professional Association.
Charlotte met the love of her life, Ralph James (Jim) Leader while attending the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. They married on September 30, 1948. After receiving their B.S. degrees they lived briefly in Missoula, MT before relocating to the desert of Phoenix, AZ. Both she and Jim loved the outdoors and spent summers camping and hiking in the mountains near Silverton, CO with their family. They spent their retirement years together at their farm near Durango, CO and at their cabin in the San Juan Mountains. Jim passed away on May 26, 2006.
Charlotte Frances Sewell was born in Garnett, Kansas on May 23, 1927 to Arthur T. Sewell and N. Nadine Morrison Sewell. Survivors include: son Lars Leader and spouse Aties, grandsons Sean and Kevin Leader; son Eric Leader and spouse Lois, grandson Aaron Leader, granddaughter Arwen Follett and great-granddaughter Bailey Follett; daughter Tilly Marlman and spouse Gary, grandson Daniel Marlman, granddaughter Bethany Whitney and spouse Joshua, great-grandson Noah Whitney, and grandson Glen Marlman.
A memorial service at the Bayfield Christian Church will be announced later for early summer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bayfield Christian Church Missionary fund.