Charlene Berl (Criger) Galloway

Charlene B. Galloway, 80, of Martinez, Georgia, entered into rest on Saturday, March 25, 2023, after seven years of living with Alzheimer’s. She met her Jesus at home with her much loved music playing and her daughter Michele and son-in-love Richard holding her and telling her she was loved.

Charlene was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 26,1942, to Neil and Adeline Criger. She was an only child who grew up with many cousins whom she loved like brothers and sisters. In 1958, she married the one love of her life, Walter L. Galloway, and started life as a military wife. Charlene and Wally had four children, Rick, Dawn, Michele, and Wendy. Many moves and adventures later, she and Wally settled in Augusta, Georgia, where they raised their three surviving children. Charlene loved being a wife, mother, and homemaker. When Wally died (1981), she entered the world of banking, working in customer and loan services in several area banks. Her favorite pastimes included travel, reading, enjoying live music, and eating mint chocolate chip ice cream. She enjoyed swimming and spent many hours volunteering at University Hospital caring for premature babies for many years. Her favorite role began with the birth of her three grandchildren, Eric, Emma, and Grant, who called her Gamma.

Charlene is preceded in death by her husband, Wally; her daughter, Dawn; and her son, Rick. Charlene is survived by her daughters, Michele Blume (Richard) of Martinez, GA, and Wendy Galloway (Rick Whitehead) of Augusta, GA; her beloved grandchildren, Eric Galloway of Omaha, Nebraska, Emma Blume (fiancé Kyle Gellerstedt) of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and Grant Blume (Jess) of Martinez, GA; her brother-in-law, John Fraker of San Jose, CA; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved and life-long friends, Peggy Bowman, Carmela Dunn, and Renate Blume, who continually loved and visited with Charlene throughout her battle with Alzheimer's. 

A memorial service will be held at 5:00pm on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in the Chapel at Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30907.   

A special thank you to the caregivers through SouthEast Hospice, and Candy Chandler who helped us provide compassionate care, and treated our mom like family in her last days.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Charlene’s memory to the Family Y (https://thefamilyy.org). Charlene was a long time member and loved going to water aerobics there. The water was her happy place. 

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