Charles E. Smith Sr., veteran, meticulous mechanic
Charles E. Smith Sr. of Lewes passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, with his loving wife of 71 years, Frances, by his side. He was born April 3, 1929, in Fallston, Md., to Anna Regina and Kemper Smith. Charles was raised in Maryland and graduated from Kenwood High School in 1948. He proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1951-61.
Charles married Sara Frances Armacost June 28, 1952. They moved to Lewes, where he was stationed in the Coast Guard. He and Frances made their home in Lewes, raised a family, ran a business, and made many lifelong friends. After serving in the Coast Guard, Charles opened Smith and Pittman Amoco Service Station, on the corner of Fourth Street and Savannah Road in Lewes, with his longtime friend, Ralph Pittman. Charles enjoyed working in the center of town greeting friends every day. After Ralph moved from Lewes, Charles ran Smith’s Amoco Service Station in the same location. In 1978, he opened Smith’s Wayside Auto Sales and Service at the entrance to Lewes on Savannah Road. Charles was a meticulous mechanic. He was devoted to his family, working long hours without complaint, to provide for them.
Charles knew many local people in Lewes, and he was always ready to lend a hand to those in need. He was a member of St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church.
Charles and Frances enjoyed traveling, especially to Lancaster, Pa., throughout the year. They had memorable trips to Maryland, Alaska, Florida, South Carolina, and many states along the East Coast. Charles loved old country music songs and hymns. He was always happy, and his family often heard him singing and making up songs and rhymes.
Charles was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Kemper (Buzz) Smith, Francis (George) Smith; and sister, Mary Lou Smith.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Frances A. Smith; children, Charles E. Smith Jr. (Connie), Beth Smith and Regina LeGates; grandchildren, Kim Smith, Christy Bogle (Mark), Cody Smith (Staci), Kelly Smith, Danielle Blankenship (Jordan), Derek LeGates and Marissa LeGates; great-grandchildren, Hayden Bogle, Finley and Livvy Smith, and Blair Blankenship; foreign exchange daughter, Carolina Vernot Kohler (Peter) of Austria and Spain; extended family, Mary Lou and Wayne Warren and family; many close nieces, nephews, cousins, and treasured family friends.
A graveside celebration of life with military honors will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 3, at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Savannah Road, Lewes.
The family is grateful for the care and compassion they received from Delaware Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Charles may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, 321 Norristown Road, Ste. 260, Ambler, PA 19002, in memory of his brother-in-law, Leonard Culver.
Visit Charles’ Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
