Charles Edward Smith
June 1, 1935 – February 14, 2023
Charles Edward Smith, 87, of Harwood passed away February 14, 2023. He was born June 1, 1935 in the Panama Canal Zone to David Samuel and Mildred (Cotton) Smith. Charles grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and graduated from Cristobal High School. Following high school he attended East Carolina University where he met Phyllis Jean Stocks. He and Phyllis married in August of 1956, and they lived in District Heights until moving to Harwood in 1964 after Charles accepted a position at Southern High School. Charles worked as a woodshop teacher at Southern High School for 30 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of Edgewater Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and later became a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Charles was a very hardworking man. He loved working outside, shoveling dirt, mowing grass, and taking care of the farm. He also enjoyed woodworking, model trains, and spending winters with Phyllis at their home in Ft. Myers, FL.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis in June of 2022. He is survived by his son Dana Smith and his wife Joanne of Harwood and daughter Dianna Keith and her husband David of Tallahassee, FL and grandchildren Wes Fisher of Tallahassee, FL, Tina Smith of Clinton, TN, and Laura Beall and her husband Tom of Shady Side.
Visitation
Friday, February 24, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Services
- Funeral Service
Friday, February 24, 2023
11:00 AM
Contributions
Condolences
Sort Comments
19 Feb 2023
11:08pm
It was an honor to serve with him on the faculty at Southern High School. Thanking him for years of dedication to the people, kids, and parents both, of the Southern community.
City
Satellite Beach
State
FL
21 Feb 2023
6:15pm
Mr. Smith taught me wood shop for two years. They had only just allowed girls to take shop in 1972. Three girls were in that class. We were so excited. “Always use the right tool for the job” he would often say. One day I advised him that my mother could build a house using nothing but a butter knife. He had a wonderful laugh. He also taught me to drive. The most important thing he did was model a good, honest, God-loving man, husband and father. I didn’t know they existed, except on television. Southern High had many great teachers, of which he was the greatest. Rest in peace with your beloved wife.
City
Edgewater
State
Maryland
21 Feb 2023
7:16pm
Sorry for your lost. Mr Smith taught in drivers ed
City
Owings
State
MD
21 Feb 2023
8:08pm
He was my drivers Ed teacher .
We had a great time learning the rules of the road. Makes me wish I had taken shop class
City
Henderson
State
Md
21 Feb 2023
10:26pm
I loved Mr. Smith. He taught me as well as my Dad. In class he would remind me that my Dad won the golden hammer award. I felt he took me under his wing. Such a great man. The world is running low on great men and he was one of them.
City
Stevensville
State
Md
22 Feb 2023
2:10am
One fun class he had, good personality he had.
City
San Diego
State
Ca
22 Feb 2023
7:17am
He was a great wood shop teacher in high school. He will surely be missed.
City
Linthicum
State
MD
22 Feb 2023
12:17pm
Mr. Smith was a wonderful neighbor and teacher! He was always so kind and generous with his time. He will surely be missed!
City
Dunedin
State
Fl
22 Feb 2023
8:01pm
Mr. Smith was a great teacher one of my favorites for sure. Always enjoyed going to the farm and working when he needed help. RIP Mr. Smith
City
Nokomis
State
Fl
22 Feb 2023
8:26pm
I taught with Charles in the Industrial Arts department at Southern Sr High for 15 years. Charles is my professional mentor and has always been a great friend. He gave me on the point advice about teaching our youngsters in South County. So many times I would visit Charles and Phyllis at their home on South Polling House Rd talking about the uniqueness of our student body. He was close to his students and never sugar coated his approach to advising them how to improve themselves. Honesty, integrity, and attention to detail were always apparent in his classroom. The furniture his students made were just top notch. South County was a better place with Charles around.
City
Salem
State
South Carolina
3 Mar 2023
8:14am
I was saddened to see that Charles passed! Craig and I loved our times together in Riverwoods with Charles and Phyllis!
“God has him in His keeping. We will, forever, have him in our hearts!” Condolences to the family!
Craig and Diana Jones
City
Salineville
State
Ohio
13 Mar 2023
11:44pm
Mr. Smith loved teaching more than just woodworking which he was great at but also taught us to respect the equipment and machinery we were working with and how to safely operate them. I also had him for Drivers ed and again if you paid attention safety was again another factor of his teaching and how to respect the road and the machine you were driving. He taught me very good life skills that I cherish today. Ms. Krolicki also taught me. I saw her condolence as well. Class of 1982. Very sorry for your loss of a great man. RIP Mr. Smith we will once again meet in Heaven.
City
Lusby
State
MD
Sort Comments
It was an honor to serve with him on the faculty at Southern High School. Thanking him for years of dedication to the people, kids, and parents both, of the Southern community.
Mr. Smith taught me wood shop for two years. They had only just allowed girls to take shop in 1972. Three girls were in that class. We were so excited. “Always use the right tool for the job” he would often say. One day I advised him that my mother could build a house using nothing but a butter knife. He had a wonderful laugh. He also taught me to drive. The most important thing he did was model a good, honest, God-loving man, husband and father. I didn’t know they existed, except on television. Southern High had many great teachers, of which he was the greatest. Rest in peace with your beloved wife.
Sorry for your lost. Mr Smith taught in drivers ed
He was my drivers Ed teacher .
We had a great time learning the rules of the road. Makes me wish I had taken shop class
I loved Mr. Smith. He taught me as well as my Dad. In class he would remind me that my Dad won the golden hammer award. I felt he took me under his wing. Such a great man. The world is running low on great men and he was one of them.
One fun class he had, good personality he had.
He was a great wood shop teacher in high school. He will surely be missed.
Mr. Smith was a wonderful neighbor and teacher! He was always so kind and generous with his time. He will surely be missed!
Mr. Smith was a great teacher one of my favorites for sure. Always enjoyed going to the farm and working when he needed help. RIP Mr. Smith
I taught with Charles in the Industrial Arts department at Southern Sr High for 15 years. Charles is my professional mentor and has always been a great friend. He gave me on the point advice about teaching our youngsters in South County. So many times I would visit Charles and Phyllis at their home on South Polling House Rd talking about the uniqueness of our student body. He was close to his students and never sugar coated his approach to advising them how to improve themselves. Honesty, integrity, and attention to detail were always apparent in his classroom. The furniture his students made were just top notch. South County was a better place with Charles around.
I was saddened to see that Charles passed! Craig and I loved our times together in Riverwoods with Charles and Phyllis!
“God has him in His keeping. We will, forever, have him in our hearts!” Condolences to the family!
Craig and Diana Jones
Mr. Smith loved teaching more than just woodworking which he was great at but also taught us to respect the equipment and machinery we were working with and how to safely operate them. I also had him for Drivers ed and again if you paid attention safety was again another factor of his teaching and how to respect the road and the machine you were driving. He taught me very good life skills that I cherish today. Ms. Krolicki also taught me. I saw her condolence as well. Class of 1982. Very sorry for your loss of a great man. RIP Mr. Smith we will once again meet in Heaven.