Ryoko Charlton

Ryoko (Lee) Charlton, of Salem, Va, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, June 11, 2012. Born in Aomori, Japan, December 22, 1932, Ryoko was the 5th of 8 children born to Tokichi and Kuri Kamada. She was a talented seamstress working for a local tailor when she fell in love with an American GI, her husband, the late Joseph C. Charlton, Sr. They married after the Korean War and traveled the world during his long military career. Ryoko became a proud American citizen on December 4, 1964. She and Joe retired to Salem in 1969 where they enjoyed many wonderful years; now they are together again. Ryoko is survived by her daughter, Anna Legard and her husband John of Moneta, Va; son Joseph Charlton, Jr and his wife Kim, and her 2 special grandsons, Adam Clay and Kyle Joseph Charlton of Midlothian, Va. The family would like to extend special thanks to the wonderful staff of Emeritus Ridgewood Gardens and Good Samaritan Hospice who made this last year very special for Ryoko. A period of visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, June 15, 2012 at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. An online guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.