Charlotte Forehand Albright

Charlotte Mae Forehand Albright of Carlsbad, New Mexico passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Charlotte was born May 25, 1935.

She graduated from Carlsbad, High School in 1953 and later that year was the New Mexico rodeo queen assisted by her friend Paul Bond. She married her high school sweetheart, Aubrey Lewis. They had a daughter, Janet in 1955.

In the 1960's, Charlotte went to work as the manager of the Buy Rite Shoe Store on Mermod Street. In the early 1970's, Marvin "Speck" Albright purchased the Buy Rite Shoe Store and not long after that Charlotte and Speck were married and began a long happy relationship.

In the early 90's, Charlotte began a long association with the Cat's Meow Thrift Store founder Carolyn "Lynn" Pitcaithley. Charlotte worked 30 years at the Cat's Meow Thrift Store as a volunteer and board member where proceeds went to the Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter for local veterinary care. Speck Albright joined her in 1994 and sat at the back of the store repairing items donated to the store.

Charlotte was proceeded in death by her parents, Elmer and Frances Forehand, her brother Earl Ray Forehand, stepson Merle Albright, stepdaughter Janet Albright and in 2022 her husband Speck Albright.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Lynn Forehand, caregiver and friend Jessica Shannon, nephew Mark Forehand and his wife Jeanie Forehand, stepson Marvin Albright and his wife Carole Albright, step daughter in law Maria Albright, daughter Janet Lewis Cartlidge, son-in- law Tom Cartlidge and granddaughters Ann Cartlidge of Henrietta, Texas and Jana Cartlidge of Austin, Texas.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday May 23, 2026 at the Denton Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cat’s Meow Thrift Store, 124 S Canyon St, Carlsbad, NM 88220.

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com