Charlene "Char" H. Hutchinson, 77, of McComb, MS passed away at her home on Sunday June 18, 2023.

Graveside services will be held at Hollywood Cemetery in McComb, MS., Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10 AM with Dr. David Millican officiating. Hartman-Jones Funeral Home of McComb is in charge of arrangements.

Charlene was born on February 28, 1946 to the late Charles Herminghaus and Freddie Herminghaus. Raised by her mother & her Aunt May (May Nelson Marsalis) in McComb, Charlene was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. She graduated from McComb High School, playing clarinet in both stage band and marching band. Charlene attended Southwest Mississippi Community College, where she also played clarinet, and met her future husband, Walter Hutchinson. They soon married and moved to Louisiana to follow Walter's banking career. Charlene embraced her new home state of Louisiana with open arms, and continued her collegiate studies there. She received her Bachelors of Science in Education from University of South Western Louisiana (USL) in Lafayette, and her Master's Degree in Library Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

During these years, Charlene's passion for books and reading became the driving force of her teaching career. For the next thirty-five years, Charlene continually instilled her love of reading and love of learning to all her students. She taught English and Math to Kindergarten through Ninth grade students across many Louisiana parishes, then served the last fifteen years of her career as a Head School Librarian. Throughout this time, she greatly influenced the lives of countless children, and adults alike.

After her retirement, Charlene continued to be an avid reader and shared her excitement for story-telling and the written word with others. Her family and friends will always remember her for her zest and verve for life, her sharp wit and intellect, and her personal strength and tenacity. Those who knew Charlene will miss her infectious smile and laugh, her lively conversations, and her wonderful talent for passionate debate.

Charlene was a loving mother and grandmother. Her son, Merrill, was the joy of her life. Taking Merrill on fishing trips to Venice, Louisiana, was one of her life's happiest highlights. She took great pride in Merrill's accomplishments, and cherished his beautiful family.

Charlene is survived by her son, Walter Merrill Hutchinson, Jr., his wife Lauren Hutchinson, and their children Brooklynn Guidry and Michael Hutchinson.

She is also survived by her loving cousins: Martha Helen Boyd of McComb, MS; Drs. Clay Nelson Boyd and his wife Bonnie Accardo Boyd of New Orleans; Bradley (Brad) C. Boyd and his wife Marianna B. Boyd and their daughters Margaret and Rosalie Boyd of New Orleans, LA; Jon Rocky Boyd and his sons Jonathan T. and Ian N. Boyd, all of Tucson, Az; John H. (Rusty) and Gwen S. Marsalis of McComb, Ms; John R. Marsalis of Charlotte, NC; Jason C. and Heather Marsalis, and their sons Carlisle and Bently Marsalis, all of McMinnville, TN.

Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, her dear Aunt May Marsalis, her husband Walter Hutchinson, Sr., and her cousin Erin Rose Boyd.

Because of Char's love for animals, and her dedication to the welfare and care of animals in need, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a non-profit animal rescue of your choosing (such as B.A.R.L. Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, P.A.L.S. of McComb, or McComb Animal Shelter).

While gone from this life, Charlene will carry on with us, knowing that her time here, while too short, was beyond well spent. She had great integrity, she loved deeply, and she laughed heartily – and our hearts will continue to mourn her absence, yet joyfully lift her up in our memory.