A golden heart stopped beating and hardworking hands are now at rest.

Our loving mom, Charlene Yvonne Barto peacefully passed away on January 27, 2023 in Redding with family by her side.

She was born April 14, 1943 in Oroville to Charles Bryant and Eva “Ramsey” Bryant. Mom’s life started in Oroville, with her parents and three siblings later moving to Korbel, where she met and married Bill Barto, her husband of 40 years until his passing in 2001. They moved to Willow Creek in 1965 with their three children, Ronnie, Renee and Billie. They bought their first home in 1969 in Salyer, where mom resided until her passing.

Charlene was a wonderful, kind mom, grandma and great-grandma who was always there when any of us needed her. She loved her family and spending time with them. There is truly nothing she loved more than family and friends. She liked visiting people, and to Mom, no one was a stranger. She was a hard worker all of her life, never complaining. She liked working and had many different jobs in her lifetime. She worked in the mill pulling green chain and later becoming a clipper operator. She also worked in construction flagging. She would often mention how much she missed being a waitress, and talking and visiting with customers and friends. She prided herself in being a damn good waitress and she was. Many lifelong friends were made along the way, whether they were people passing through, or people she worked with. She always had a smile on her face and a funny story to share with anyone who would listen. One of moms favorite things to do was go to the casino and gamble. She loved the slot machines, and most of the time she was pretty darn lucky.

Mom was a gem of a lady. She was loved by many and will be remembered for her way of being funny without even trying, her outrageous stories that made your checks hurt you laughed so hard, her honesty, and her kindness to all.

We want to thank Rufus “Dick” Guffie for being moms partner and part of our family for the past 17 years. Thank you for loving her and taking care of her.

Charlene is preceded in death by her father and mother, Charles and Eva Bryant, her husband of 40 years Bill Barto, her Sister’s Arlene Skinner and Shirley, Brother, Ronnie Bryant, Nephew Ed Marmon. Charlene is survived by her children, Ronnie Barto (Sandra Barto), Renee Robinson (Jim Schrom), Billie Sanderson (Roger Sanderson).Grandchildren Christopher Barto, Tara Pulsipher (Jeffery), Alyssa Bengaua, (Euniel), Dustin Barto (Rutchel), Jessica Nulph, Richie Nixon (Erica), William Nixon (Cyndi), Whitney Sanderson, Ben Sanderson (Stella Jarnaghan), Her Great Grandchildren, Saige and Addison Pulsipher, Peyton, Jayden, Landon and Thomas Bengaura, Sam and Dean Barto, Devin and Haylee Young, Elijah, Noah, Wesley, Adriana and Riley Nixon, Niece Susie Leo, and Tina Bryant, Nephews, Larry and Gary Mormon, and Melvin Bryant.

Mom in life, we loved you dearly. In death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a special place, no one else can fill.

We are planning a celebration of life for Mom on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Willow Creek VFW hall at 2 p.m. Feel free to bring a favorite side dish or dessert and a memory or story to share as we honor this one-of-a-kind lady.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Charlene Barto’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.