Charles Smith

Charles "Dude" Smith, age 86, of Ellenboro, NC, died Friday, April 25, 2014 at Hospice House of Rutherford County.
Born February 19, 1928 in Rutherford County, he was a son of the late Edgar Smith and Betty Kirkendoll Smith. He was a veteran of the US Air Force and served during World War II. Charles worked as an overhead crane operator for Jones & Laughlin Steel Company for thirty-three years before retirement and was a faithful member of High Shoal Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He enjoyed going to the Rutherford County Senior Center and was an avid dancer. Charles was a person who loved to be around people and especially being with his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Wright Smith; two brothers, Clyde Smith and Floyd Smith; three sisters, Addie Waters, Nell Norman, Evelyn Beason and a step-granddaughter, Jamie Burleson.
Survivors include his wife, Flora Ann Walker Smith; son, Albert Smith and wife, Lorie of Warren, Michigan; daughter, Jan Norman and husband, Van of Ellenboro; brother, Harold Smith and wife, Nancy also of Ellenboro and five step-children, Ricky Walker and wife, Vickie of Ellenboro, Janice Parrish and husband, Jeff of Kernersville, NC, Mike Walker and wife, Bobbie of Forest City, Phyllis Johnson of Gallatin, TN and Jeff Walker of Ellenboro. He is also survived by grandson, Matthew Norman, eleven step-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at High Shoal Baptist Church with Reverend John Godfrey and Reverend Bob Philbeck officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors being accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall one hour prior to service time.
Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to Rutherford County Senior Center, 193 Callahan Koon Road, Spindale, NC 28160 or High Shoal Baptist Church, 284 High Shoals Church Road, Mooresboro, NC 28114.