CEDAR POINT  -  Charlton Rogers Breeden, 87, of Cedar Point, who lived a long and fruitful life in passionate commitment to her faith, entered Heaven on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 23 at Emerald Isle Chapel by the Sea with Pastor Clay Olsen officiating. The family will receive friends in the indoor courtyard following the service at the church.

Charlton was born to the late Leroy Grady Rogers and Charlton Wilson John Rogers on August 3, 1937, and grew up in a loving home in Bennettsville, SC. Charlton attended Bennettsville High School, graduating in 1954, with the academic distinction of Valedictorian. She attended Salem College and the College of Charleston, with emphasis in Music and French, before marrying Thomas Eugene Breeden of Bennettsville in June of 1956. During Tom's pursuit of a medical degree, Charlton supported him through years of school, to include internships and residencies, while nurturing their new children.

As a family, they enjoyed trips to their hometown and, after a move to Rock Hill, SC in 1967, Charlton began what became a lifelong passion - teaching piano. She also counseled at day camps, served as art lecturer to 6th graders, pioneered school programs on self-esteem for 4th graders, co-founded and served as President of the Piano Teachers Forum, was President of the Medical Auxiliary, interviewed clients for the Crisis Assistance Ministry for 10 years, and was Arts Chairman of the Junior League - all in a volunteer, community-minded capacity. She was great at the game of Bridge, loved Supper Club outings with her husband (now in solo medical practice) and often enjoyed trips to the river, mountains and beach.

There were many moves for the family and Charlton was an expert at packing up and establishing new roots. She was quick to befriend, remarkable in beauty, and her gift of hospitality was immeasurable. Charlton's musical gifts provided fun for many friends who were fortunate to be by her side and her tennis game was impressive, even though she had suffered with polio as a child. Charlton was a devoted boating co-captain for many years on the water and she and Tom enjoyed traveling to wonderful places, especially abroad, with friends as the children grew.

Charlton was very active at First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, NC, serving in leadership roles and singing in the choir. In 1989, she began participation in Community Bible Study and, after committing her life to Christ, later served as Core Discussion Leader and Assistant Teaching Director for hundreds of women. Charlton was able to beautifully entertain her many friends, commit to community roles, expertly devote herself fully to her family (including her aging mother), and move to new homes and cities in support of her husband when circumstances deemed. (In total, they moved 17 times!) As the blessings of grandchildren came, it was obvious that her heart was enveloped around them. A move to Emerald Isle came in 1995 and trips to their beautiful home at the beach were the highlight for everyone. Opportunities to enjoy her amazing piano playing and choir directing at Emerald Isle Chapel by the Sea was made even more fun as she included family members to share their musical gifts. Charlton joined the Crystal Coast Choral Society where she enjoyed brilliant performances and offered her beautiful voice, hosted church choir parties, and, after 18 months of steadfast prayer with a few friends, was instrumental in the creation of a brand-new Community Bible Study in her own area, which grew rapidly. After more prayer, with her steadfast leadership, two more CBS organizations were formed in surrounding areas, including a Teen CBS.

Charlton was an outstanding Bible speaker and teacher, a gifted piano teacher and overall musician, a friend to all, the very best friend to her children and wonderful Mimi to many. She never missed an opportunity to attend events in loving support of them and created opportunities for gatherings at every turn. Visits from her growing family were her greatest delight and her dog, Treble, thoroughly enjoyed being part of her world.

A highlight of her life was a long-awaited trip to Israel. She was excited upon returning to study the Bible "in technicolor – with pictures in her mind to go with the words!" Charlton loved Jesus and had surety about what awaited her. Her greatest desire was and is for all to place their faith in Him and enjoy Him as a constant companion - a best friend. She spoke often that "I have discovered that all that really matters in this life is knowing Him and serving Him and the glorious future that He promised His children is more than we can dream or imagine!!"

Charlton was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Eugene Breeden.

She is survived by her children, David Grady Breeden (Mandy) of Carolina Beach, NC, Charlton Amanda Breeden McMehan (Tony) of Rock Hill, SC, Thomas Eugene Breeden, Jr. of Wendell, NC and Christopher Manning Breeden (Laura) of Crozet, VA; grandchildren, Trey, Dalton, Cody, Shelby, Meryl, Mari Belle, Christopher and Alexander; and great-grandchildren, Maeve and Murphy.

Memorials may be made to Emerald Isle Chapel by the Sea .

John 11:25-26 – Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."