Charles Edward Smith, 80, of Elrod, died Tuesday, February 7, 2023. A graveside service will be held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery in Gordo, Ala., on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tony Latham officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will follow the service at the graveside.
A native of Gordo, Charles was a longtime agent with the Alabama Extension System, serving in Jefferson and Marengo counties. He graduated from Gordo High School and was only a dissertation short of a PHD from Auburn University.
His son Ray Smith, his grandson Austin Plummer, and his parents Edward Vivian Smith and Ola Bell Mullenix Smith and his brother-in-law Roger Free preceded him in death.
Charles is survived by his wife, Doris Bryant Smith, his daughters Jenny Houlditch (Ken) and Robin Hoggle (Keith) and son Bob Collins (Kelly) and nine grandchildren, Jake and Landon Houlditch, Ashley and Drake Plummer, Bradley, Will Connor and Jake Collins and Sidney Salatto. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Free, Betty Slowe (Jim), Wanda Winters (Gene), and Rita Smith and his brother Freddie Smith (Jane) and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and two uncles, Searcy Mullenix and Frederick Laverne Mullenix.
Charles was born in a Catholic hospital in Mobile. His birth was difficult for mother and child and a priest was called in to administer last rites. He survived and though he was affected by these injuries his entire life, they didn't hold him back. Perhaps he thrived because of them; he carried his indomitable spirit and a sense of humor all his life.
His family gathered to celebrate his 80th birthday in January. His daughter Jenny provided his favorite: caramel cake. He received cards from family and friends near and far.
When Charles was in high school he drove a school bus and worked at Wardie Hall's truck stop. Travel appealed to him and he decided that truck driving was what he was going to pursue. Mr. Hall arranged for him to go on a long distance drive with one of his drivers. Charles came home and applied to Auburn.
Charles worked with Auburn's Cooperative Extension program all his working years. He worked first in Jefferson County, where he often appeared on local TV to talk about horticultural issues. Later, he transferred to Marengo County where he worked until his retirement. He often joked that he wanted to be retired for as many years as he worked. He almost made it.
His life was not without tragedy. His son Ray died of a brain tumor. Affected at 20 years old, Ray's brain tumors were fatal at 40. Charles's beloved grandson Austin Plummer was killed in an accident in a truck that Charles had helped him fix up before he turned 16. Despite tragedy and health issues, he loved to hold court on the front porch of the cabin that he and Doris bought off Echola Road. He could be found there any time the weather was warm, watching the birds or reading if no one was available to talk.
He worked with his brother Freddie with bees. They had dozens of hives and advised many people in the community on beekeeping. They made good friends in the West Alabama Beekeepers Association. His family could always count on honey, especially if they helped process it.
Freddie was Charles's faithful companion and took care of Charles when Doris needed help. Charles fell often and Freddie could be relied upon to go right over to help get him up and make sure he was uninjured.
After spending 62 days in the hospital, Charles wanted to go home. Doris worked hard to make that happen and though those days were short, they were good days and he was happy. He died where he wanted to be.
Pallbearers will be Ken, Jake and Landon Houlditch, and Bob, Bradley and Will Connor Collins.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Gordo High School Class of 1962 and members of Sand Springs United Methodist Church in Gordo.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Sand Springs United Methodist Church, c/o Ronda Shirley, 1092 Julia Elmore Road, Gordo Alabama 35466, or to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3425 County Road 21, Gordo, Alabama 35466.