Can't. Charlotte Elizabeth O'Neal Jennings, devoted wife, mother, and friend subscribed to the mantra: "There's no such word as 'can't.'" Charlotte, the youngest of Joseph Earl Wilson O'Neal and Margaret Bell O'Neal's children, was born August 6, 1929, in Amelia County, Virginia. A remarkable life unfolded. Following her graduation from Stuart Circle School of Nursing, Charlotte married Graham Thornton Jennings, on June 26, 1950. Graham and her siblings, Frances O'Neal Harris, Mildred O'Neal Humlan, Bernice O'Neal Beverly Walsh, and Earl Wilson O'Neal, predeceased Charlotte. Her children, Deborah O'Neal Jennings, "Debbie" (Harvey), Graham Thornton Jennings, Jr., "Gray" (Marty), Rebecca Jennings Anderson, "Becky" (Thomas), and Melanie Page Jennings, as well as eight grandchildren, twenty-seven greatgrandchildren, and a multitude of cousins, near and far, survive her.

During and after her career as a registered nurse, Charlotte focused on making a wonderful home for her and Graham's children: homemade meals (including lipsmacking, epic dinners), beach trips, taking care of family dogs and cats, holiday gatherings, gardening, occasional practical jokes, and countless sundry tasks of life. In the 1960's, the lure of Nags Head and surf casting found Charlotte and Graham vacationing on the Outer Banks. In the 1970's, Charlotte and Graham moved back to Amelia County to raise Morgan horses. Every hay season would find Charlotte out conditioning, raking, and baling orchard grass hay. Every hay season, the old, International Harvester square, twine hay baler would have a knotter tantrum - usually when the forecast predicted rain. Every time Charlotte, often under the gaze of wonderment from onlookers, barn cats, and attentive dogs, would coax, cajole, and persuade the old knotters to settle down and tie twine. Charlotte rode, drove, and trained Morgan horses. An excellent whip, she would win in the showring (including national recognition) and compete successfully in carriage driving as well. In the late 1980's, Charlotte studied and became a realtor, a career chapter that would include teaching at the Richmond Board of Realtors, becoming a real estate broker, and owning her own real estate firm, Advantage Plus Realty.

Fifteen years ago, Charlotte decided she'd sold enough real estate. She would continue to prepare amazing home cooked meals. She would read a book or so a day. She would train her dear catahoulah leopard dog, Jack, to step into a bathtub for baths. She would travel a bit. She would feed and water the neighborhood deer, squirrels, rabbits, and birds. She would play a practical joke with the stealth of a catamount. She would tell you that she looked after her husband, Graham. (He would look after her as well; their love story briefly interrupted by his death October 27, 2025.) Life would slow down a bit, but, as you must know by now, she never allowed the word 'can't' to hold her. On August 2, 2026, Charlotte slipped away as she slept. If you'd like to honor Charlotte, please decline any invitation to offer 'can't' as your answer to questions that challenge you to live beyond yourself as a partner, parent, friend, or citizen and hang on to your hat because you'll be rolling!

A requiem Mass for Charlotte will be held at Our Lady of Loudes Catholic Church, 8200 woodman Road, Henrico, VA 23228, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 1:30PM.