Willa Charba

Willa Deane (Means) Charba , age 76, passed away at home with her loving family by her side May 16, 2020.  She was born August 11, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Helena Means.  She is survived by her husband, Bernard Charba; sister, Carole Hunter and her husband, Bob; daughter, Amy Featherston, and her husband, Brit Featherston; the light of her life, her grandchildren, Anna and Ben Featherston; and loyal dog, Trudy. Willa also had numerous caring nieces, nephews and cousins.

Willa was not born in Texas, but she got here as fast as she could. After graduating from the University of Missouri in 1965, Willa moved to Houston to be near her sister Carole and became an elementary school teacher.  She lovingly taught kindergartener for over 30 years. Shortly after moving to Texas, she met the love of her life, Bernard (Ben) Charba and they married in 1967. A year later, her beautiful daughter, Amy, was born.  Willa spent the 70s, 80s and 90s being a great wife, daughter, mother, teacher, and friend.  She enjoyed her beach house in Crystal Beach, TX, traveling, and raising the other little blonde in the house, Amy.

After retiring in 1998 and after spending a year in Rockport, Texas, she and Ben built their retirement home and moved to the Charba family property between Smithville and Flatonia. There, as a master gardener, Willa enjoyed working in the garden and tending to her plants and flowers.  Willa was fiercely proud of her daughter, Amy, and her accomplishments as a nurse practitioner and was just as proud of her two grandchildren, Anna and Ben.  Willa took up needlepoint, studied her family’s genealogy, and became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also enjoyed the Red Hat Ladies Club, shopping and decorating her home with Texas culture.  In the last few years her dog Trudy, her flowers along with highlights of her grandchildren have been her favorite submissions on Facebook.

Willa became a faithful Catholic in 2005 and regularly attended Saint Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, in Cistern, Texas.  Over the last 15 months Willa fought a valiant battle against leukemia.  She was strong until the end; always cautious of causing anyone any trouble.  Willa was loved by her family and all that were lucky enough to have known her.  She will be missed dearly.

Pallbearers for Willa's Service will be the following loved ones:  Ben Featherston,  Franklin Ise, Brit Featherston, David Charba, Rey Pena and Pat Hanzelka.

The family wishes to thank all those who have been so kind throughout Willa’s illness.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 98018, Washington DC 20090-8018, or online.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Church attendance has limitations, the Charba Family will only hold a Private Mass and Graveside Service on Thursday, May 21, 2020.    The Charba Family expresses appreciation to all those who helped and prayed for Willa during her illness.

To help insure our safety, please wear a face mask if in attendance of the private services.