Charlotte Jean Cruce Wilde passed away on October 21, 2020, in Oklahoma City at the age of 95. Other than the last two weeks of her life and her OU years, she was a Tulsa resident.
She was born in Tulsa on December 30, 1924, as the only child of Charles W. and Grayce Cruce. As a young girl she began walking to East Side Christian Church where she was a lifelong member. After graduating from Will Rogers High School in 1942, she attended the University of Oklahoma completing the secretarial program. It was in Norman that she met and later married Robert N. Wilde on August 18, 1945. After Bob completed law school, the couple returned to Tulsa and raised three children: Teresa, Susan and Steve.
Pure Oil was her first Tulsa employment where she used her secretarial and accounting skills. She returned to work in the 1960s and became a working mother employed by the Selective Service Board, local builders, and retired from Williams Realty Company.
The couple loved to travel to OU football games in Norman and all over the country. Many long trips were made across the country and Canada. After Bob's passing in 1993, she traveled to Europe, enjoyed a Panama cruise and ventured on many shorter trips with a great circle of friends. She had great fun with her friends even having slumber parties for her 80th birthday at a local casino and another on the night before a surgery was scheduled. The highlight of her monthly calendar was always her many bridge groups.
Charlotte is survived by her children, Teresa Benson and husband Mike of Ponca City; Susan Wind and husband Rick of Edmond; and Steve Wilde and wife Barbara of Quinlan, TX. Her five grandchildren Brian, Vanessa, Emma, Chandler, and Garrett brought her great joy and pride. Vanessa's 2 children Hazel and Jack gave her the honor of being a great-grandmother.
As she downsized in recent months she wanted her donations to go to people and nonprofits who could use them. Contributions in her name may be made to a nonprofit of your choice.
A private family service is planned on Saturday, November 7, 200 with Moore's Southlawn with interment at Floral Haven Cemetery. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233