Remembering Charlotte

When most people hear the name Charlotte Moore Toomer, they think about the woman who was City Treasurer in East St. Louis for 29 years, the woman who overcame many obstacles in trying to hold that position and the woman who emerged victorious in that and other battles.

Charlotte R. (Wilson) Toomer was that woman and a whole lot more too.

She was born December 28, 1950, in St. Louis, MO., to the union of Keathen Wilson and Estine (Adams) Weston and grew up surrounded by a strong family that cherished East St. Louis and were trailblazers in the community.

FINDING HER PATH: It did not take Charlotte long to forge her own way among East St. Louis history makers.

After completing her general education in East St. Louis School District #189, Charlotte earned a B.S. Degree from Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio; a B.A. from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale; and an MBA from National Louis University in Chicago.

With more than 40 years in East St. Louis city government, Charlotte achieved many firsts. She served as an assistant City Treasurer in 1972 before being appointed to City Treasurer in 1974, making her the city's first department head.

When she was elected City Treasurer in 1987, she was the first female to hold a city-wide office. She went on to be re-elected seven times. Charlotte always believed that elected officials should be public servants focused on serving citizens, rather than looking for their constituents to serve them.

While in that position, Charlotte became the first city Treasurer to be certified by the Illinois Municipal Treasurers of the U.S. and Canada, served on the Illinois State Board of Treasurers and was the first City Treasurer to have a certified investment policy in 2002 and 2006.

A licensed real estate broker, Charlotte was elected to the St. Clair County Board of Review in 2008 where she remained for six years. Before her initial election, she was certified as a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO) to prepare for the role.

PERSONAL LIFE: In her early years, Charlotte loved attending concerts and going roller skating with her cousin Lenora Ann Bonner Cooper. She later spent much of her time traveling, finding joy in places like Paris, New York City and Spain.

In 1973, Charlotte married Edward Smith and the couple had two sons, Edward Damon Smith and Eric Donti Smith. She later married Ken Toomer; they spent 34 years together before he passed away in 2020.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: In addition to her government work, Charlotte believed in sharing her time and talent to uplift the East St. Louis community. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC., she served in a variety of board positions with the East St. Louis Boys Club, National Black Caucus, National League of Cities, East St. Louis Firemen's Pension Board, Lions Club and Emerson Park.

She also served on the National Board of Women in Municipal Government and the police pension board, among others.

Over the years, Charlotte volunteered in the Feed the Needy Program at Dorris' Helping Hand Homeless Shelter and served on the board of the YMCA in Belleville. She was also a member of #1042 Elks and the Democratic Women South-Western Illinois Networking Group.

Charlotte was a lifelong member of St. Luke A.M.E. Church in East St. Louis where she served as a steward and was finance chairman up until her passing.

She was presented numerous awards from the state, local school, government and civic organizations over the years.

Despite those accolades, she was most proud of providing book scholarships to 10 students, contributing to the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Scholarship Fund and supporting scholarships for college-bound students through the Diva's Live Program.

"It's not so much where your dreams take you, it's where you take your dreams," Charlotte loved to say. "I encourage everyone to dream big, regardless of the circumstances."

She transitioned from this world on November 25, 2024, in St. Louis, MO., after fighting cancer for more than 30 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Keathen and Estine; her husband, Ken Toomer; brother, Keathen Wilson, Jr.; and grandson, Edward Xavier Smith.

LOVED ONES MOURN: Charlotte leaves to mourn her passing her two sons, Edward Damon (Vickey) Smith of Tucson, Arizona, and Eric Danti (Rochonda) Smith of Marietta, GA; two stepdaughters, Shelly Carter of Arizona and Kara Toomer of St. Louis; three stepsons, Don Moore of Cahokia Heights, Kevin Moore of St. Louis and Kenneth Toomer (Anna) of Santee, California; sister, Crystal (Wayne) Weston White of Virginia; brother, Willie (Tiya) Arnold of East St. Louis; three grandsons, Aleph Smith, Jaume Toomer and Eric Malik Smith; six granddaughters, Aisha Moody, Tanisha (Dale) Kendrick-Dunn, Erica Milner, Taminique Cooke, Imani Kiya Smith and Kennedy Weston, and four great-grndchildren, Dahani and Nylie Dunn, Lailah Moody and Maleah Bustamante.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her godchildren, Amari Grace Ward, Charrenee Underwood, Bridget Matthews, Andrew Lilton and Mikel Collins; sisters-in-law, Dr. Melvinia Wilson, Regenia Griffin and Janet Russell; god sister, Jymeka Martin; nephews, Kadesh (Desteni) White, Kaleb (Amber) White and Robert Tetu; and nieces, Dr. Dawn (Dante) Wilson Kendall, Kellee Wilson Love, Justice Arnold, Truth Arnold, Brooklyn Arnold and Makayla Renee Harris.

Also mourning her loss are a treasure trove of aunts, cousins, and friends.