Charlene passed away at home with family by her side after many years of Alzheimer’s. She happily lived these years with her daughter Brenda and family in Martinez.
The eldest of six children, she was the first New Year’s baby born, 1934, in Tulsa, OK, to Rev. Andrew and Eva Hudson, and featured in the local newspaper.
Her family moved to Wagoner, OK, and then to Russellville, AR, where she attended Russellville H.S.
In the 1950’s, she came to the East Bay with her first husband, with whom she had daughters Brenda and Becky Brown, settling in the Richmond area where Bill had relatives. She married twice more adding daughters Kimberley Hernandez and Kellie McDaniel. She later moved with Kim and Kellie to Concord.
Charlene had an accomplished career as a Machinist, joining the IAM union in 1961. She worked for Dymo, Veriflo (where she served as a union representative), Mare Island Navel Base in the machine shop and onboard submarines, and Siemens Medical in a lead position producing the MRI machine until retiring at age 73.
With daughters raised, she mentored and opened her home to foster teen girls and played a vital role in lives of her grandchildren, Samantha, Nick, Max and Aaron.
Charlene valued her family, education (attended CCC and DVC), and loved family gatherings, celebrations, music (especially Elvis who she met backstage in 1955), and travel including cruises.
She is survived by her four daughters, Brenda (Dennis), Becky, Kim (Mark), Kellie (Ron), four grandchildren, brother Daniel, and sister Ella. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers Donald and Wallace, sisters Catherine, Barbara, and Doris, and granddaughter.
Celebration of Life to be held at Martinez Yacht Club, Sunday 14 September 2025 at 2:30pm.
Author: gqlshare
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/obituaries/charlene-e-mcdaniel-martinez-ca/
