WILMINGTON — The Rev. Charlie Albert Smiley Jr., 85, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021.
He was born Nov. 1, 1935, in Danville to Charles A. Smiley Sr. and Nora Aaron Smiley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Glen E. Smiley and Jimmy Smiley; and stepson, Charles C. Bowen III.
Charlie graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. Degree in Business and retired from E.I. Dupont. He served in the U.S. Army and served God as a Presbyterian minister. He played professional ball for 9.5 years for the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. He loved to garden and tend to his beautiful tomatoes and collards.
Charlie was a true patriot who loved “God and country.” He loved nothing better than to sit down on the floor and play with his grandchildren. He was the biggest kid of all. Charlie loved his family, loved people and would have given you his shirt off his back if you needed one. Most importantly, he loved the Lord. He labored and served him faithfully, loving others and preaching the gospel of Jesus. Now, he is in the Kingdom surrounded by angels, worshipping with his hands held high. God the Almighty has brought him to glory.
He is survived by his wife, Elsie Smiley; son, Steven L Smiley, and his wife, Paula; sister, Colleen Wright; brothers, Benjamin “Bennie” Smiley, and Keith Smiley, and his wife, Wendy; stepdaughters, Mechelle Meier and Yolando Bond, and her husband, Woody; and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., Saturday Feb. 20, at Coble Funeral & Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1155 Shipyard Blvd., Wilmington. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Chinquapin Presbyterian Church, Wounded Warrior Project or Disabled American Veterans.
Share online condolences with the family at Coble Funeral and Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
