CHARLENE REGINA SMITH
Blessed by the marital union of Eddie and Stella Matthews Smith, Charlene Regina Smith entered this life on July 26, 1957. She departed this life on December 31, 2021, age 64, at her residence in Parksley, VA. Charlene was born and raised in Onancock, VA, alongside her 7 siblings whom she loved deeply. She was educated in the Accomack County Public School System where she continued her education up until the 10th grade before she entered the workforce. Charlene, or Lene, Aunt Lene, Charla, or GiGi, as she was affectionately called by her loved ones worked domestically because of her love for others. After years of being a domestic worker, and because of the love of her own children and grandchildren, she started her own daycare in her home where she cared for her own, as well as the children and grandchildren of her relatives, her children’s friends, her nieces and nephews, and even some of the neighborhood children. In her spare time, Charlene loved to read the dictionary. She always told her children to always know what people are saying to you and around you. What most people didn’t know is that she had a strong love for music and had a beautiful voice. She would sing to her children all of the time, and she and her daughter would dance and laugh together until they both hurt. She loved God tremendously and HE Loved her more. She also loved yard sales and thrift stores. She could spend an entire day shopping for clothing (her favorite color was purple) and plants, and picture frames and statues, as well as antique items that she loved to fill every inch of her home with. She had a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh and was known for her sweet and proper lingo, as she would commonly greet others with “DARLING” and “HELLO” but would sometimes switch it up and say “MAN PLEASE”.
Charlene’s greatest title was MOTHER, as she was blessed with two wonderful children, Marcus and Natasha. The three of them shared a strong and solid, everlasting bond. Along with her grandchildren, together they were all a very tight-knit circle. Charlene wore her heart on her sleeve and always shared every bit of her being with her children and grandchildren. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchild, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews were everything to her as she was the type of family member to call to just simply say HELLO. She showed them all equal love and even gave them all nicknames that only she would use. She actually gave every child in the family a nickname, except her own as she always called them by their given names. The love she gave to her family will forever ensure that she will remain in their hearts forever.
In 2019 there was void left in her life when she unexpectedly lost her only son. This loss was devastating to her, however it brought her and her daughter Natasha together closer than ever in an attempt to keep his memory alive as a part of their tight-knit circle. Charlene was loved and cared for every day by her daughter Natasha. Natasha did everything for her mother to ensure her transition to be with the Lord was as smooth and fulfilling as possible. In addition to her son, she was predeceased by her father and her mother in 1992 and 1995, respectively, and two brothers, Eddie Matthews (2008) and Morris Smith (2020).
Charlene leaves to cherish loving memories: her daughter, Natasha Smith; three granddaughters: Shontell Cummings, Makayla Smith and Raquel Logan; a great grandson: Vontrell Trader, Jr; two brothers: Douglas (Junell) Bundick, and Carlton Smith; sisters: Valda Smith, Teresa Smith-Kellam, all of Onancock, VA and Linda (William) Hill of Grand Prairie, TX., an uncle: Lilton (Eva) Pitts of Savageville, VA, and an aunt: Joyce Garrison of Frankford, DE; a host of nieces and nephews and a special friend of 45 years, Marvin Davis, who played a very loving role in her life, her children’s life, and her grandchildren’s life. THROUGH HER FAMILY, HER MEMORIES WILL LIVE FOREVER BECAUSE SHE WILL BE LOVED FOREVER.
