Charles Smith

Charles Carlyle (Smitty) Smith, 87, of Danville, was released of his earthly body to join our Lord and Savior on Monday, March 18, 2013. Charles was born on May 10th, 1925 in Bluefield, WV to parents the late Charles Ross Smith and the late Helen Norvell Smith. Charles is survived by his wife of 67 years, Netta Fae Smith. He is also survived by their two children, Barbara (Bunny) Eanes and Toni Oakes, sister, Anita Garrett and grandchildren Katherine Keyser, Martha Scruggs, Elayne Matherly and Robert Smith Oakes. Charles was predeceased by one sister, the late Nina Cooper; daughter, the late Martha Ann Smith; and grandson, the late Samuel Ross Oakes. During World War II, Charles left Concord College at the age of 17 and joined the Marine Crops. He served 3 years in the Pacific with the 4th Marine Division and participated in several invasions including Iwo Jima. After the war, Charles returned to Concord College and earned his BS degree in 1948. Charles was then accepted by the Baruch Center of Physical Medicine, the School of Physical Therapy at the Medical College of Virginia. After joining staff at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Charles went back in the Marines to serve in the Korean War. Charles worked for 62 years as a physical therapist, first at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, VA and then in Danville, VA. He was a member and Elder at First Presbyterian Church. Among his many talents and passions in life Charles was an avid outdoorsman specializing in archery and hunting wild game all around the world. Charles was an incredible marksman and also received numerous archery awards throughout adulthood. Charles also provided 40 years of service as an athletic trainer at George Washington High School and was recognized with the Virginia High School Coaches' Association's "Dr Drank McCue III" Sports Medicine Award and induction into the Danville Area Sports Hall of Fame. Charles was an exceptional man and he will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 22, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Allen Thompson officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps will follow in Highland Burial Park. The family will received friends at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and at other times will be at the residence.