Charlotte Milton Caldwell Giesen, of Radford, died Saturday, January 28, 1995, at her residence. She was born to Charles Minor Caldwell and Ida Goodykoontz Caldwell on January 27, 1907, in Radford. She was the widow of Arthur R. Giesen also from Radford, whom she married in 1929. Her children are the Honorable A.R. (Pete) and Patricia Elliott Giesen Jr. of Waynesboro, and Ann Giesen Fowlkes of Radford. Mrs. Giesen, widely know as "Pinkie", was the women's editor for the Radford News Journal for a number of years, and Editor of the original Montgomery News Messenger. In 1954 she ran for the Radford City Council, leading the ticket of 10 candidates to become the first woman ever elected to this seat. In 1957 she became the first Republican woman elected to the Virginia State Legislature, holding her seat in the House of Delegates until 1962. She again was seated on Radford City Council from 1962 to 1966. She was a member of the Radford College Board of Visitors from 1970 to 1978, serving as Vice Rector of this board for three years. She was also a graduate of Radford State Teachers College, which enabled her to teach a number of years in the area. She was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Radford. She is survived by one brother and sister in-law, William A. and Zona Hassell Caldwell of Radford; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Giesen leaves eleven grandchildren, Michael D. and Kim Dickenson Fowlkes, Laguna Beach, Calif, Patrick G. and Melissa Fowlkes Farrell of Grass Valley, Calif, Gregory D. and Sean Fowlkes Jeung of Gleenwood Spring, Colo., Arthur R. ""Jay"" Giesen III of Pittsburgh, Pa., Jonathan H. and Nannie Grover Giesen of San Antonia, Texas, Russell B. and Ann Giesen Smith of Staunton, Elizabeth Giesen Ray of Falls Church, Tara Fowlkes Walker of Draper, David and M. Shan non Fowlkes Berksen of Laguna Beach, Calif., Robert K. and Michelle Giesen of Boulder, Colo., and Mary Emille Giesen of Gladwyne, Pa. There are twelve great-grandchildren. Interment will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Westview Cemetery, and a memorial service will follow at noon at Christ Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford. The family will appreciate remembrances made to Charlotte Giesen Scholarship Radford University or Christ Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in Radford. DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford is in charge of arrangements.
Roanoke Times, January 30, 1995
(Obit contributed by Barbara Chittum Hutchens)
Roanoke Times, January 30, 1995
(Obit contributed by Barbara Chittum Hutchens)
Charlotte Milton Caldwell Giesen, of Radford, died Saturday, January 28, 1995, at her residence. She was born to Charles Minor Caldwell and Ida Goodykoontz Caldwell on January 27, 1907, in Radford. She was the widow of Arthur R. Giesen also from Radford, whom she married in 1929. Her children are the Honorable A.R. (Pete) and Patricia Elliott Giesen Jr. of Waynesboro, and Ann Giesen Fowlkes of Radford. Mrs. Giesen, widely know as "Pinkie", was the women's editor for the Radford News Journal for a number of years, and Editor of the original Montgomery News Messenger. In 1954 she ran for the Radford City Council, leading the ticket of 10 candidates to become the first woman ever elected to this seat. In 1957 she became the first Republican woman elected to the Virginia State Legislature, holding her seat in the House of Delegates until 1962. She again was seated on Radford City Council from 1962 to 1966. She was a member of the Radford College Board of Visitors from 1970 to 1978, serving as Vice Rector of this board for three years. She was also a graduate of Radford State Teachers College, which enabled her to teach a number of years in the area. She was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Radford. She is survived by one brother and sister in-law, William A. and Zona Hassell Caldwell of Radford; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Giesen leaves eleven grandchildren, Michael D. and Kim Dickenson Fowlkes, Laguna Beach, Calif, Patrick G. and Melissa Fowlkes Farrell of Grass Valley, Calif, Gregory D. and Sean Fowlkes Jeung of Gleenwood Spring, Colo., Arthur R. ""Jay"" Giesen III of Pittsburgh, Pa., Jonathan H. and Nannie Grover Giesen of San Antonia, Texas, Russell B. and Ann Giesen Smith of Staunton, Elizabeth Giesen Ray of Falls Church, Tara Fowlkes Walker of Draper, David and M. Shan non Fowlkes Berksen of Laguna Beach, Calif., Robert K. and Michelle Giesen of Boulder, Colo., and Mary Emille Giesen of Gladwyne, Pa. There are twelve great-grandchildren. Interment will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Westview Cemetery, and a memorial service will follow at noon at Christ Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford. The family will appreciate remembrances made to Charlotte Giesen Scholarship Radford University or Christ Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in Radford. DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford is in charge of arrangements.
Roanoke Times, January 30, 1995
(Obit contributed by Barbara Chittum Hutchens)
Roanoke Times, January 30, 1995
(Obit contributed by Barbara Chittum Hutchens)
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