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Obituary
Smith, Charlene Glover passed away at her home on Monday, December 4, 2022, at the age of 90 years. She was born on December 29, 1931, in Holland, Arkansas to parents Willie and Brooky ‘Losey’ Glover. She was the 2nd of 5 children.
She spent most of her growing up years in Arkansas. She loved playing basketball and was a ‘fierce’ competitor for her high school team. In 1950, Charlene moved to Pasadena, California to attend Ambassador College. She graduated from college in 1954. While at Ambassador she met and married her husband, Norman Smith in October 1953. They were married for 67+ years before his death in 2021.
During their marriage Charlene and her husband served faithfully for the Worldwide Church of God. As a minister and wife they served the members in many areas of the United States. Originally, her husband served for many years in Pasadena in the broadcast studio. Eventually they were sent out to serve in other areas including, but not limited to, San Diego, CA; Chico, CA; Banning, CA; North Hollywood, CA; El Monte, CA and Sherman Oaks, CA. She and her husband also did some extensive traveling including trips to Europe and South Africa.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her four siblings: Dennis, Bill, Virginia and Leslie.
She is survived by her three children, Debi Smith of San Marcos, CA; Kevan Smith of Creswell, OR; Kyle Smith (Mary) of Thrall, TX; two grandsons Jeremy and Jameson Smith and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was buried on Thursday, December 14, 2022 in the Fir Grove Cemetery in Cottage Grove, OR next to her husband.
Rest in Peace
We dearly loved you and you will be greatly missed!!
(written by Esther Cole Glover)
| 12/04/22 10:42 PM |
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Bob Gerringer (1967)
Charlene Glover Smith 1932(?) – 2022
I received a call from Doris Cole today informing me that her good friend Charlene Smith died this morning, Sunday, December 4. I do not yet have Charlene’s date of birth, but she likely would have been at least 90, having entered AC in 1950. She went to high school in Holland, Arkansas. Charlene’s husband, Norman Smith, died a little over a year and a half ago. They were married 67 years.
Her future husband also entered AC in 1950, as did Wayne Cole. Charlene Glover was the first of the Glover children to enroll at AC – her brothers Billy and Dennis followed her in 1953. Her sister-in-law, Billy’s widow, is Wayne Cole’s sister Esther. The Smith’s lived in Creswell, Oregon, a few minutes south of Eugene. Until the last few months of her life, Doris spoke on the phone frequently to her close friend Charlene.
When we were setting up this website, I had an opportunity for a number of conversations with Norman and Charlene – mostly to help them with the initial sign-up steps. I especially had lengthy conversations with her about “the old days”.
My grandparents began their association with the Radio Church of God in 1942, and were pioneer members of the San Diego church when it began in the very early 50’s. My grandma was not bashful, and became a bit of a “den mother” for the young evangelists-in-training and their wives when they spent the weekend in San Diego practicing their preaching and ministering techniques. Charlene shared recollections of my grandma who occasionally advised her on the art of child-rearing. Charlene said she “took to heart” some of my grandmother’s unsolicited advice, and, over sixty years later, she recalled the encounters with fondness, and in some detail, saying she appreciated, and even implemented a number of the suggestions.
My one disappointment from the 2015 Pasadena Reunion was that the Smiths were unable to attend – and Charlene and Norman really, really tried to be there. While helping them over the phone to join the website and register for the Reunion, they conveyed how much they wanted to see everyone again. Their son was going to drive them down from Oregon, and it was only at the last moment that a health issue prevented the trip. This was a major disappointment for them, as I believe they both realized that at their age and with their health, there would not be a second chance. How I wish I could have introduced Norman and Charlene to say a few words to add to what the other “old timers” [Wayne Cole, Doris Allen (Cole), Gene Michel, Jo Ann Felt (Dorothy), and Bernell Michel] who took the mic shared with us at the opening banquet in February, 2015.
In her later years, Grandma always spoke highly of Norman and Charlene, and her opinion carries a lot of weight with me – the Smith couple were known as kind, quiet, competent, even-tempered, caring people. Life was challenging for them in their last few years, but their son Kevan has been a dedicated, loving care-giver for both of his parents.
To both of you: thank you for your service to others; you will be affectionately remembered. Rest in Peace.
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