Charles E. Smith

Charles E. Smith, age 89, of Ellenboro, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Fair Haven of Forest City.

Charles was born Friday, November 13, 1936 in Cleveland County to the late Harvey Smith and Donie Behealer Smith. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. Charles worked for over twenty-five years at Ellenboro Upholstery Supply before retirement. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and enjoyed viewing baseball games, building bird houses and watching the traffic in Ellenboro. He loved his family dearly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Sammy Martin; great grandchild, Bailey Bradshaw; siblings, Margaret Hamrick, Frances Smith, Walter Smith, Harold Smith, Kenneth Smith and James Smith.

Those left to honor his legacy include his loving wife of seventy years, Peggy Grant Smith; daughter, Janice Smith Martin; son, Ricky Smith (Betty) all of Ellenboro; sister, Judy Gordon (Winford) of Caroleen; grandchildren, Holly Shires, Rebecca Smith, Tyler Bradshaw and Colby Bradshaw (Haley) and eight great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 3rd at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Randy Church and Reverend Mike Gettys officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are requested to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to Fair Haven Home, 149 Fairhaven Drive #8759, Bostic, NC 28018.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.

An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com