Catherine Charlene Smith, age 88, of Delta, passed to her eternal rest with Jesus early Saturday morning August 6, 2016 at Swanton Health Care. She was born the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Biggers) Skiver on October 24, 1927 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Charlene married Ray Whitson on January 10, 1948 in Mountain Home, AR. They were married for 20 years. To this union eight children were born. She then married Merlin N. Smith on August 5, 1972 in Delta and they were happily married for over 28 years. Merlin passed away on March 31, 2001.
Charlene was a resident of Delta since 1963. She worked as a store clerk on Main Street in Delta from 1967 until 1992 in the same building for Mohr’s 5 & 10, Haffners and Dollar General. Upon retiring, she joined the Hands of Grace in Delta and was a dedicated volunteer for fifteen years. Charlene was a faithful Christian and member of First Baptist Church of Delta, where she served as church treasurer and children’s Sunday school teacher for many years. After the church closing she joined Haven Heights Baptist Church in Wauseon.
Charlene was also preceded in death by three brothers; infant Everett, Don and Eldon; sisters, Geneva Skiver and Edna Watson; grandchildren, Carl Whitson Jr. and Breonne Starr and son-in-law, Larry Dyer.
Surviving are her children, Karon Whitson of Toledo, Cathryn (John) Raabe of Delta, Alice (Paul) Bostelman of Swanton, Jimmy (Chris) Whitson of Bronston, KY, Carl (Kristy) Whitson of Temperance, MI, Johnny Whitson of Eubank, KY, Lou Ann (Vistor) Starr of Beulah, MI, Connie (Ethan) James of Waynesburg, KY; stepson, Gregory (Penny) Smith of Live Oak, FL and Robert Smith of Greenville, PA; stepdaughter, Roxanne (Harry Jr.) Brenizer of Greenville, PA; 25 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild and three nieces.
Charlene was devoted to her family and a very loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed.
Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Monday, August 8, 2016 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St Hwy 109 in Delta; where a funeral service honoring her life will begin at 10:00 AM on Tuesday also at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Shiloh Cemetery near Delta. Pastor Bob Spudie will be officiating.
Memorials may be made in Charlene’s memory to the Hands of Grace, 104 Monroe St., Delta, Ohio 43515 or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.