King Charles Edward Smith

Charlie Edward Smith’s pilgrimage began February 16, 1949, when via his father, Bennie Smith and his mother, Everleana Smith née Cannady, this young prince initiated his sojourn and set off on his travels from the station of his home in the Delta of Sunflower County by way of Pugh City, Mississippi. His father, Bennie, and his mother, Everleana, along with his half-brother, Larry Smith, would precede him in death.   In preparation for the days of travel ahead, “Prince Charles” began to develop his character and work habits with visions of the “King” he would one day become, by dedication to his first job working with “king cotton” in varied fields throughout the Delta of Mississippi as a young boy. As all know, a king is not merely born, but is developed and molded over the experiences of time. As he grew, the loving and giving spirit of this quiet-spoken boy became evident as he took a true interest in family, especially children, when he first became an uncle at ages ten and thirteen. As such, Charles worked to be the leader and provider upon whom those of his small kingdom could depend. Thus, he knew the key lay within education, and this little country boy began to work hard in school. As tales would have it, via the mouth of “King Charles,” he graduated at the top of his class in 1967 from Ruleville High School.   Traveling into lands upon the reservation of Alcorn State University, Charlie began his freshman year with stars in his eyes at his introduction to his alma mater with dreams of his major in engineering dancing through his mind. This quiet young man would begin his studies with the ever-present thought that he would do and be more. Nevertheless, as tales often go, his brief stay during his travels would be interrupted and set off course just a year and a half into this leg of his journey as he was forced to leave college because the United States Military felt he needed to travel further abroad.   Leaving home shore, during the heights of the Vietnam War, this young royal, “King Charles,” deployed across the seas with the United States Army. However, his pilgrimage would drastically change course during a dark night a year or so later. Charlie would be severely wounded by the “friendly fire” of a fellow soldier’s automatic machine gun. Charlie would be detained for a year on foreign soil in Germany and another subsequent year in the lands of the State of Georgia before returning to the bosom of family in Mississippi.   Refusing to give up and sit idle, this quiet and valiant “young king” began his work to overcome the physical, emotional and mental challenges suffered from his foreign travels. With the heart of a warrior king, his loving, caring and giving spirit was passionately reignited and after several years, he was able to, once again, embark on his pilgrimage. Charlie overcame his multiple obstacles to take his place as the “patriarch” of his small family. He knew his greatest job would be to encourage his nieces and nephews and guide them to make the best of themselves via education. Knowing they could only achieve all through the blessing of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he would try to lead by example as he was steered back to the Love of God when he joined them to fellowship at Refuge Temple Church of Jackson, Mississippi.   In latter years, the terrain of his life became rather rocky and rough. The effects left from his short stint on foreign lands began to resurface and change the quality of his travels. For four long years he valiantly struggled and trekked ahead with eyes “ever on the prize.” King Charles” led the way of provision and leadership until his weary steps petered out on November 9, 2017. God allowed him to reach his final destination into a land of peace and rest.   Charlie leaves to fondly relate the Tales of “King Charles’s” Pilgrimage:  four sisters; Queenester Woolfolk of Yazoo City, Mississippi, Bennye Lou Smith of Jackson, Mississippi, Ella Jones (Bobby) of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Carolyn Farris of Yazoo City, Mississippi; one brother, Eddie Jobe of Chicago, Illinois; two nieces: Jacqueline Smith-Harris of Jackson, Mississippi and Phoebe C. Smith Woolfolk of Yazoo City, Mississippi; one aunt, Grace Cannady Stewart of Jackson, Mississippi; five great-nieces; two great-nephews; four great-great nieces; two great-great nephews and a multitude of family and friends.