Charles W. Smith

Charles W. Smith, at the age of 89, went home to be with the Lord on May 15, 2016.  Charles was the eldest child born to the late William and Irene Smith.  His daughter Wanda Jean Smith preceded him in death.  Charles was born on November 11, 1926 in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

Charles was educated in the Groveton Coraopolis Public School District.  He served in the U.S. Army and was discharged honorably in 1947.  He returned to Pittsburgh and married his first wife, Crystal Despert and to that union produced five children.  Later in life (1990) he married Geraldine aka Gerri and to that union five children were added to their family.

Charles was a strong hardworking man.  He worked for Standard Steel spring, Renekamp Lumber Yard, and Totum Lumber.  He also drove an 18 wheeler truck with Warner Continental until retirement.  Charles came out of retirement to work for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a Clerk in the Circulation Department until his health started to decline at the age of 84.

Charles was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Coraopolis and later joined Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He served on the Senior usher Board.  Charles was the Social Chairman for the Community United Social Service Club, an organization that awarded Annual Scholarships to qualifying students throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Charles leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife, Geraldine; sister, Catherine Brown; brother, William Smith (Patricia); children, Charles Smith Jr. (Diane), Audrey Parker-Hollis, Debbie Plowden, Adriene Smith, Arnoldo Patrick (Dorothy), Crystal Baker (James), Gloria Patrick, Sean Patrick (Nicole), Duane Patrick (Joy); 11 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren as well as a host of family and friends.  Honorable mention to Charlene Phillips, Tony and Mary Scafede.

Charles loved God, his family and friends.  He did everything he could to show his love and support.  He was everyone’s “Pap” the person you turn to when you needed someone to listen, or a place to feel safe.  He had a smile that was contagious, a heart of gold, and a prankster at  heart.

He will be missed by all who knew him.