Charlotte was a lifelong resident of Kinder. She graduated from Kinder High School in 1950. In 1951, Charlotte married the love of her life, Louis. Her first job was with Wayne Swords Insurance. She was also employed as a bookkeeper at the Kinder Rice Dryer for a number of years, but most of her career, was spent at Kinder High School where she was secretary, and most importantly, a friend to the students.

Charlotte was also very actively involved in her church. She served as secretary of the Congregational Church (Kinder Bible Church) for many years. She was also a faithful participant in Ladies' Aid. She really enjoyed volunteering at VBS every summer. She served the BEST cookies and Kool Aid ever. The most important role in life was that of a wife and mother. She chaperoned many of the band trips as Louis drove the bus. In the early years of Sonnier Timber Company, she was actively involved in the business management aspect. She supported all of her children's activities from den mother, to band parent, to football fan. She was attentive to her children's growth and development spiritually. She set high goals and standards for her children. From her children's perspective, her life provided the best example. Charlotte was an expert in the kitchen. Anyone who ate at her table forgot all about Betty Crocker!

Charlotte is preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Louis Sonnier, parents, Milton and Irene Gilley; one sister, Georgia Lee Gilley Hearn; and one nephew, Jonathan Milton Hearn.

The three children who loved her are Sylvia Crawford (Jeff Crawford), Dan Sonnier, and Charlie Sonnier (Brenda Sonnier). She was Granny and Grandma to Jared Crawford and Jake Crawford, Dr. Michael Sonnier, and Kate Sonnier Johnson. Her great-grandchildren are Michael and Matthew Crawford, Sebastion Dominquez, and Emma Sonnier.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Kinder Bible Church. Rev. Don Barrett will officiate. Burial will follow at Green Oak Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

The family will receive visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Kinder on Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. Visitation will resume on Monday morning from 8 a.m. until time of procession to the church at 9:40 a.m.

Pallbearers are Jared Crawford, Jake Crawford, Dr. Michael Sonnier, Terry Barrett, Bruce "Cotton" Jones and Joey Langley. Honorary pallbearer is Dick Sonnier.

Those wishing to honor Charlotte's memory can make a donation to Camp Pearl. The family would like to express a special thank you to their special angels: Brenda Billings, Brenda Bankester, and Carla Thompson. The family couldn't have done this without them. They also want to thank Dr. Alex Courville, Brighton Bridge Hospice and Allen Parish Home Health.