Charles E. Smith's Obituary
Mr. Charles E. Smith passed away July 21, 2024, in Dallas, TX. He was born July 15, 1926, in Waskom, TX to Charles and Jennie Mae Smith. While Charles was still young, the family moved to Dallas, TX, where Charles would spend the rest of his life.
Charles graduated from Lincoln High School in 1945. He was a part of a gospel quartet that travelled around the area performing at local venues and churches. He served in United States Army / Air force and received an honorable discharge in 1947. He began his professional career at Southwestern Bell, which later became AT&T, and he worked for the company for forty years, retiring in 1987.
Charles accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior very early in his life. His association with Dr. J Lee Foster, founder of First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park (FBCHP), began while they were attending high school together and continued when they sang together in the gospel quartet. When he moved his family to the Hamilton Park Community in 1955, the relationship grew stronger when he and his family joined the church in 1961. He has served in numerous capacities at FBCHP, including Deacon’s Ministry, Music Ministry, Sunday School Teaching Ministry and was the Moderator of the church’s’ Leadership Conference. He was a willing worker, serving wherever he was needed to help spread / teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He married the Love of his life, Pearlene Summerfield Smith on August 15, 1947. They were married for over 75 ½ years until her death, March 21, 2023. They had 2 children, a son Willie Charles Rudy Smith and daughter, Saundra Smith.
Charles is preceded in death by parents, Charles & Jennie Mae; wife, Pearlene; daughter Saundra and siblings, Maurice, Carl, Wendell, Clusine, Herman and Willie Fred.
Charles is survived by his son, Willie Charles, grandsons, Greg Willis II, Channing Willis (Arlinda) and Landon Willis and one great-grandson, two great-granddaughters, one sister Gloria Dilworth and a host of relatives and friends.
Charles will be sincerely missed by his loving family, friends, FBHP church family and all those who knew and loved him.
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