Charles Wendell Smith ended his earthy journey February 20, 2017.

He was born in Conway, SC on June 4, 1937 the son of the late Grady Lee Smith and Gertrude Mary Prince Smith.

He grew up in Charleston, SC and graduated from Rivers High School. Charles proudly served his country in Korea in the U.S. Air Force and later entered officer candidate school in the U.S. Army and ultimately was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in the National Guard. He returned to Spartanburg, SC for over twenty years where he was a partner in an insurance agency, Cordell, Willis and Smith. Moving to Ocean Isle Beach, NC in 1990 where he started CWS Insurance Agency and was well respected in the insurance industry, having earned a CPCU designation and taught courses and served on state insurance boards.

Charles was an active member of the Sertoma Civic Club in Spartanburg, SC. His commitment and dedication to helping others lead him to serve as Sertoma International President 1989-1990 and was dedicated to serving his community and others. He served on the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce on NC State Insurance Boards and started a local chapter of Sertoma in Ocean Isle Beach and loved the local shag club.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years Debbie Sloane Smith; sister, Jackie Murray; brother, Leonard Smith; sons, Stephen Charles Smith (Becky) of Ocean Isle Beach and Charles Fox III (Ashley) of Ocean Isle Beach; daughters, Courtney Prickett (Philip) of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Whitney Sauls (Brandon) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC; grandchildren, John Philip Prickett, Mary Prickett, Carolyn Prickett, Marley Smith, Sara Smith, Sydney Sauls, Sloane Sauls, Will Fox and Piper Fox.

Charles is remembered for his quick wit, love of his family and friends and his cowboy hats and boots.

A celebration of life will be conducted Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11:00 am in the Brunswick Funeral Service Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Lower Cape Fear Hospice “Brunswick House” 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or Museum of Coastal Carolina 21 East First Street, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469 and Sertoma International.