Charlotte Bachus Gould's Obituary
I am mine own woman, well at ease is an apt description of Charlotte, who peacefully broke these earthly chains August 17, 2009. At her bedside at her home she had in addition to her Bible this plaque: “God in my refuge and my strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” Psalms 46:1 Charlotte was not a “church-going” woman, but always had an abiding faith and had on her door a plaque which said: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 She was not vocal or pressing others to believe as she did, but she always loved God in her own quiet way. Charlotte was born August 24, 1922 in Marshall, Texas to Mattie Harrison Bachus and Louie A. Bachus, now deceased. She was predeceased by her husband, William Joseph Gould in 1994. Joe was with Sears Roebuck for many years before retiring in 1967 as Southwest Regional Retail Comptroller. He was notified of a major promotion to Vice President, but did not want to move to Chicago. Instead, He retired and he and Charlotte moved to “the farm” in Shreveport. He was also a Mason. Charlotte was a very independent, strong and courageous woman. When she was given the diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma and told she only had 4-6 months to live, she did not weep, but made clear to her oncologist that she did not want chemotherapy, nor would she register with hospice. She told Becky that if Becky needed hospice to help, then Becky could contact them. Becky and Lucy now realize that mother’s “stomach” trouble for many months was the cancer. Those who knew her best always say that Charlotte was a real lady. Soft spoken, gentle with her loved ones and friends, but she did not suffer fools! She was caring to a fault and was constantly trying to give things away not only to those in need, but to friends and relatives she loved. Charlotte loved to laugh and was always ready for a party. In fact she made Becky promise that there would be no funeral service, but rather, for Lucy to organize something like an Irish wake, where people could share good memories and maybe tell a few stories about her. She did not mind being teased, nor did she refrain from telling things on herself! Charlotte and Joe loved growing and showing roses. A few years after they purchased their “farm” in 1952, they began in earnest building the large rose beds and installing a sprinkler system with water pumped from their lake. The Gould’s were instrumental in bringing the American Rose Society (ARS) headquarters to Shreveport. Joe served the organization as its national treasurer and Charlotte was a national judge. They traveled the country attending rose shows, many times exhibiting their own. They hosted ARS members from around the world at the farm. In 1977 they won the most prestigious award the ARS gives: The J. Horace McFarland Memorial award for best national roses. She told me that it was so large and heavy that it took both of them to hold it. There is a small replica in her home. Charlotte’s career started when she was just 16 and got her first Social Security number. She always laughed that it made her feel less a southerner, because it was issued from New York and had the beginning numbers of 131! She was an executive secretary for Standard Oil (now Exxon Mobile) and at Sears, where she met Joe. She worked in war plants during WWII. Later in her life she got a degree from LSU in Shreveport and began working for Sam Gregorio’s firm as a legal assistant. Charlotte did volunteer work in Dallas Presbyterian Hospital, Hope Cottage and at Highland Park High School, until Rebecca graduated in 1961. She was deeply involved in the hiring of staff at Presbyterian, when it was only a small white house. Rebecca believes that her mother was pleased that her final two days were at that hospital. Again special thanks to Marty Vaughan, Dr. Mary M. Hammack, David Farquhar, George Schaumburg, Pat & Jerry Davis, Kirby & Janice Hardy, Vermon & Avis James, Sherrie Tawwater, Teresa and Francis Black, and David Elliott for their constant caring and attention to Charlotte. A very special and deep appreciation to Lucy Haug, who has been a member of our family for 30 years. Charlotte always knew that Lucy’s best friend was Joe Gould. Charlotte loved Lucy like a daughter and Lucy is helping Rebecca cope with her tears and smiles in losing her mother and dearest friend. Lucy was the source of so much fun for Charlotte, organized major trips and just kept everyone as happy as she could. Lucy has been a rock for Charlotte and for Rebecca and we don’t know what we would have done without her in our lives. Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca Anne Gould of Dallas; her sister Gwendolyn Rawls of Marble Falls, Texas; L.A. Bachus and wife Lee Bachus of Chico, California; nieces Suzanne Graham and husband Col. Tom Graham of Marble Falls, Linda Kerr of Austin and Mary Nell Freeman of Longview. There are numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, whom Charlotte loved and thought were just Great!
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