Charlotte Ann Phares, 86 formerly of California, MD, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024 at The Hermitage, Solomons, MD.

She was born on February 3, 1938 in Washington, D.C. to the late John Otis Lancaster and Mabel Bernice (Clark) Lancaster.

In 1956 Charlotte graduated from Bladensburg High School. She married her beloved husband, Donald Earl "Ducky" Phares on September 21, 1957 in Washington, D.C. Together they raised five children and spent the next 59 wonderful years together. Charlotte was a Bookkeeper for RTL Electric and then Indian River Senior Center in Millsboro, DE until her retirement. Charlotte and Ducky spent their retirement years in Dagsboro, DE where they were members of the Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View. In 2016 they moved to St. Mary's County to be near their children. Charlotte attended Patuxent Presbyterian Church in California, MD after relocating to MD. Charlotte was an excellent cook; some of her favorite meals to make were North Carolina style pork BBQ, fried pork chops, large holiday dinners, cucumber salad, and anything sweet. Her cooking skills were showcased when she catered her grandson's wedding serving nearly 70 people. She enjoyed crafting including making cards, crocheting, and scrapbooking. During the spring and summer months she loved being outdoors tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. She and Ducky enjoyed travelling. Some of their most memorable trips were to Las Vegas, NV; to Hawaii, where they spent their 30th wedding anniversary; and to Haymarket, VA, where they enjoyed many years of camping at Silver Lake Campground.

Charlotte is survived by her children, Donald Earl Phares, Jr. of Chaptico, M; Mark Allen Phares (Cathy) of Linden, VA; Cynthia Jean Burke (Sean) of Valley Lee, MD; Wayne Link Phares (Anita) of Chantilly, VA; son-in-law, Edward "Clyde" DiVincenzo of Lusby, MD; sister, Sandy Hill of Jacksonville, NC; and 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter. In addition to her parents and her husband she was preceded in death by her sister Judy Saunders; her brother-in-law Kenneth "Bruce" Hill; her daughter, Sheryl "Sherry" Lynn DiVincenzo; her daughter-in-law, Teri Phares; her granddaughter Kristal Phares; and her great granddaughter Sophie DiVincenzo.

The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m., celebrated by Rev. Joe Orlando, at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.