Charlotte Fine Surman Briggs

Charlotte Fine Surman Briggs led a very full life --- a life not simply measured by its length of 96 years, but perhaps more importantly by the way she lived that life --- which can best be described as a colorful and complex jigsaw puzzle --- albeit one that still has a number of pieces missing.

Among the first puzzle pieces shows her birth on April 13, 1930, in Anderson, SC into a Jewish family in the 1930s American South to Harry Fine (1907-1942) and Bertie Burke Fine (1904-1989). Harry died at 35 when Charlotte was only 12, and the next puzzle pieces indicate that Bertie moved Charlotte and her two surviving sisters: Gloria (1925-2016), and Esther “Mack”, (1929-1996) to Charlotte, NC, where she attended high school. (Her additional sister Margaret (1926-1927) had died in infancy).

Some of the next puzzle pieces are missing, but others show her married at age 20 to James O. Whitehouse in Ironton, OH. And others show her working as a secretary in Columbus, OH. What we do know is that she had a lifelong love of antiques, with special interest in vintage American pottery. As a young entrepreneur in the late 1950’s, she opened Char’s, a rare gifts and antique shop in downtown Columbus, OH. She traveled extensively as buyer for her store, where she offered unique, fine gift items, as well as antiques. Later, she was well known as a professional appraiser, collector, and merchant of early 20th century pottery from Roseville, Weller, McCoy, and others.

Importantly, the next puzzle pieces are in the form of a Columbus newspaper piece from 1964, when she was in her mid-30s, featuring her dressed elegantly for a formal event and noting that her shop, Char’s, was “most delightful and unusual” --- words that certainly describe Charlotte, herself, quite well.

The next puzzle pieces brought her to the Columbus suburb of Bexley and married to Richard E. “Dick” Surman (1920-1988). Sadly, Dick, as well as Charlotte’s mother, Bertie, passed away within a short time of one another, leaving Charlotte with only her older sister, Gloria, of Erie, PA (and her husband, Phil Woodford) as a close relative. (The puzzle piece regarding her relationship with “Mack” remains missing.)

Phil, whom Charlotte lovingly called “her brother” passed away in Erie in 2014, followed by Gloria in 2016, leaving Charlotte with no remaining relatives. But some surprising new pieces of Charlotte’s puzzle appeared.

Having traveled to Erie to close Gloria’s and Phil’s household, Charlotte, now 86 years old, was sitting at breakfast at Eat’n Park Restaurant doing her daily crossword puzzle, when she was approached by a gentleman who identified himself as Bud Briggs, reportedly saying “I’m 98 years old, and you intrigue me”.

Upon returning to her home in Columbus a few days later, she was like a giddy schoolgirl, wondering if she should respond to this unexpected overture. When a quick internet search showed that Bud was indeed a highly respected Erie businessman, they struck up a relationship which resulted in Bud’s romantic proposal and their marriage on Bud’s 101st birthday in 2019.

Ironically, Charlotte, having started life in a Jewish family, reportedly taught Sunday school in a Columbus Presbyterian church --- and ultimately, was married to Bud in an Erie Baptist church by an Episcopalian minister --- all consistent with the colorful life that she lived.

Sadly, Bud passed away in early 2020, and the subsequent COVID quarantine left Charlotte isolated in Erie, unable to return to Bexley. She was, nevertheless, comforted by remaining close to Bud --- and she spent her remaining years in Erie until her passing on June 1, 2026. Although she had no relatives, her remaining “family” consisted of her neighbor, John Godish, her primary caregiver, Wendy Henry, and a long list of additional caregivers who offered comfort in her final months.

Lastly, in closing out her colorful life story, we are reminded that Charlotte never ever said “good bye” or permitted others to say that. Her desired parting wishes were always unique to her. So, Charlotte, “til next time”.

Private arrangements by Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services, Inc. Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.