Charlotte Rita (Fernandes) Ponte, age 86, passed away on the 30th of Dec, 2013 at The Gate Of Beautiful retirement home in Modesto, Ca. She was born on September 26, 1927 in Tulare, Ca. to Anthony and Ida (Alameda) Fernandes. Charlotte grew up in Tulare, Ca. where she graduated from Tulare High School in 1946.

After high school she became a homemaker, and began building her family. She also worked for Hershey’s Chocolate in Oakdale, Ca.

Charlotte married Joseph J. Ponte Sr. in 1947 in Modesto, Ca. They were happily married for 52 years until Joe passed in 1999. Charlotte was a member of Oak Valley Church in Oakdale, Ca. where she enjoyed teaching Sunday school and for 8 years she volunteered with the Oakdale Salvation Army community outreach program.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Ponte Sr.; her son Joseph Ponte Jr. ; her parents Anthony and Ida Fernandes; her sibilings Joyce Vargas, John Fernandes, Loraine Fernandes, Madeline Funare and Bernadette Long.

Charlotte is survived by her children John (Bonnie Long) Ponte of St Helena, Ca., Steven (Kelly) Ponte of Antioch, Ca., Charlene (Michael) Barnett of Oakdale, Ca.; her siblings Anthony (Gert) Fernandes of Santa Clara, Ca., Andrea (Daniel) Sozinho of Clovis, Ca.; her grandchildren Elizabeth Barnett, Kathleen Barnett, Jessica Ponte, Joseph (Jack) Ponte III and Michelle Ponte. A memorial service will be held at Oak Valley Church, 175 South Bryan Ave, Oakdale, Ca. 95361 at 11:00 AM on January 9, 2014. Burial will be held at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery near Santa Nella, Ca. at 10:00 AM on January 10th 2014. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Community Hopsice of Modesto, at 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, Ca. 95356. Condolences may be left on Charlotte Ponte’s online guest book at http://Charlotte-Rita-Ponte.forevermissed.com .