Charlie Jr. Smith

Charlie Jr. Smith was born September 3, 1928 in Etta, MS. He was the third of ten children born to the late Charlie C. and Lula Bruce Smith.

He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Flint Hill M.B. Church. He attended Rock Hill and Union Hill (Pegues) schools.

Growing up, he loved raising hogs and chickens. At an early age, he worked at the saw mill and in the 1950s, he moved to Racine, WI and began working for JI Case Company. He worked there until he retired at 62 years of age.

In the 1940s, he married Merlissie Pearl Pegues and to this union, nine children were born. In 1980, he married Gracie Flemmons Owens and added five more children to the family.

Charlie Jr. never met a stranger. He would make everyone feel welcome and always shared whatever he had in his home and garden with family and friends. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, and working in his garden.

On Saturday, August 21, 2021, Charlie Jr. passed away at his home. He leaves to cherish his memories 11 children; Lula Owens, Edward (Jo Ann) Smith, Sammie Smith, Joyce Smith all of Louisville, KY, Betty Smith, Earl Smith, Norman Smith all of San Diego, CA, Shirley Gipson (Robert) of Southaven, MS, Sheila Lewis of Oxford, MS, Linda Nesbit of Etta, MS, Ivan Owens (Isophene) of Potts Camp, MS; 34 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren; three sisters, Ruth Brown of Oxford, MS, Marzee Smith of Racine, WI, Lula Grace (Walter) of Grand Rapids, MI; two brothers, James Cliff Smith of Buffalo, NY, James Earl Smith (Lorie) of Racine, WI; daughters-in-law, Diane Owens of Abbeville, MS, Carleane Smith of Green Bay, WI and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives; best friends, Tom Pegues, Kenneth McIntosh, and Matthew Adams and the Highway 30 crew.

He is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, three sons, Daryl Smith, James Owens, and Roy Owens, six grandchildren, Lucretia, Terrance, Jeffery, Byron, Deshawn, and Chris, one brother, Joe Louis Smith and four sisters, Ethel Jennings, Bessie Lee Smith, Eula Mae Smith, and Queen Martin.