Charlotte Ladell Lewis Taylor, 80, former head of makeup for the ABC Television Network in New York, died at home on Saturday, Nov. 15, of natural causes. She was laid to rest on Wednesday, Nov. 26, in her birthplace of Benton, Tennessee.

During her time working for "ABC World News Tonight," she traveled with former news anchor Peter Jennings to more than 150 countries, styling world leaders for interviews and covering major global events for over two decades.

Before working at ABC, she was an early female entrepreneur with multiple businesses in East Tennessee, many of which she continued to manage until her death. According to her family, this remarkable journey from Appalachia to the global stage was due to her being "a force of nature."

Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Shannan Taylor; her sisters, Gereldeene Lewis and Bela Lewis Roddy; her ex-husband, Paul Taylor; and stepchildren, Ken Taylor, Brad Taylor, and Susan Taylor Holmes.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Benton Elementary School Memorial Fund to support art, music, and literature, c/o Builtwell Bank, 219 Ward St., Benton, TN 37307, (423) 338-3200.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFunerals.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.