Charlotte Hanckel Hay

Charlotte Miles Hanckel Hay, widow of Eugene Gordon Hay IV, died June 28, 2022, at her Coburg home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service at Johns Island Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 1:30 pm. Burial will follow in the churchyard and the family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall afterwards.

Charlotte was born in Charleston on August 11, 1924, the second daughter of Francis Stuart Hanckel and Pauline Brock Hasell Hanckel. She was a graduate of Crafts School, Memminger High School and Winthrop College with a bachelor’s in journalism. She was a reporter for The State newspaper during World War II and married Eugene Gordon Hay on March 17, 1945, in between his service in Europe and the Pacific. Following time in Clemson and Raleigh, NC, she and Gordon returned to Charleston and Coburg, where they raised four children.

Charlotte was an active member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School and helped establish tours of the sanctuary that highlighted the church’s history. She also established an archives room at the church and was instrumental in compiling a directory of its cemetery.

Charlotte loved history, particularly of Charleston and of her family. She was one of the first licensed guides for Charleston and contributed much research for “Across the Cobblestones” while a member of the Junior League of Charleston.

Charlotte was a member of The Colonial Dames of South Carolina, The Carolina Assembly and a former member of The Junior League of Charleston.

She is survived by her daughters Charlotte “Charlene” Hay Bruce (Billy) and Motte Legare Hay (Tom Hackman); her son, Eugene Gordon Hay V (Genny); and her son-in-law, Stan E. Baird (Shana). Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren: William Rankin Bruce III (Shalon), Charlotte Miles Bruce McAhron (David), Lora Ann Baird McIntosh (Brandon), Brock Ernest Baird, Genevieve Pelham Hay (John Foster), Eugene Gordon Hay VI, and William Arthur Legare Hay; and by five great-grandchildren: Macie Legare Bruce, Anna Rankin Bruce, Miles Campbel McAhron, Annabeth Polly McIntosh and Joshua Edward McIntosh.

She is also survived by her youngest sister, Sarah Ann Hanckel Jenkins.

Charlotte was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Eugene Gordon Hay, and by her daughter, Polly Brock Hay Baird; her sisters, Pauline Hanckel Weston, Eleanor Hanckel Jenkins and Estelle Hanckel Walpole; as well as by her brothers, Richardson Miles Hanckel and Francis Stuart Hanckel, Jr.

The family also would like to give a special thanks to all of her caregivers over the years who enabled her to remain at home, including Tameka Drayton, Theresa Green, Leslie Poteat, Annette Ravenel, Nora Reeves-Ferguson, Pat Smalls, Marie Washington and others. We extend a special thanks to Carolyn Coaxum, who was an integral part of “Granny’s” life for over a decade and who lovingly managed her care.

Memorials may be given in her honor to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, Johns Island Presbyterian Church or The Charleston Museum.

Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER, Inc. (843)766-1365.