Obituary - Charline Saunders Watkins Alley

Charline Saunders Watkins Alley, 91, of Glen Allen, Va., passed away peacefully on Friday, April 9, 2021. Born April 28, 1929, she was preceded in death by her parents, Charline Martin and Kenneth Clopton Saunders; and her beloved husband, Barry Penn Watkins. She is survived by her dedicated husband of 10 years, Irvin P. Alley Jr.; her son, Christopher Penn Watkins of Jacksonville, Florida; her sister, Nancy Johnson Burner; and four nephews, Ken, Keith, Kirk and Kerry Johnson. Born in Richmond, Indiana, Charline moved with her family to Columbus, Ohio and later to Richmond, Va., where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Following her attendance at Longwood College, Charline enjoyed a teaching position in Powhatan, Va. She later enjoyed working for a local TV station in Richmond, where she especially enjoyed giving commercial advertisements on television.

While raising a family, Charline enjoyed participating in various community organizations. She volunteered many hours at The Virginia Museum Council and was a member and past president of The Windsordale Garden Club. Other organizations of active membership were: The Woman's Club, The Tuckahoe Woman's Club, Tri-Club, Monacan Woman's Club, Cross Ridge Woman's Club and Commonwealth Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Charline had wide-ranging interests and especially enjoyed her shopping sprees and many opportunities to model the latest fashions. She always enjoyed cooking and entertaining for both family and friends. Charline exemplified what it means to devote life unselfishly to family and friends above all else.

Charline married Irvin Alley on April 15, 2011. Both thoroughly enjoyed traveling, which included many ocean cruises. They especially enjoyed their many friends and activities at Cross Ridge.

The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2 p.m. at Bliley's Funeral Home, 8510 Staples Mill Rd., Richmond, Va. A brief service and interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va. The Reverend Bryson Smith of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church will be presiding at both services.