MEMORIAL CEMETERY
ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS

Born:  8 August 1948 - Palestine, Anderson, Texas Died:  10 March 1996 Father:  Charlie Smith Mother:  Mary Alice Mayfield Mother and Son

Charlie Steven Smith was born August 8, 1948 to the parentage of Mary Alice Smith and the late Charlie Smith in Palestine, Texas.  He received his education in the Palestine Independent School District, graduating from A.M. Story High School in May 1966, and afterwards serving in the United States Air Force.  Charles was employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where he had been promoted to the position of sergeant after having held previous positions. He united with the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. M.S. Houston at the age of seven.  It was there that he began his long and devoted commitment to Christ through his ministry of music. Charles was exemplary of dedication with a true and sincere love for Antioch.  he gave totally of himself and his gift to the sharing of God's Word through song.  His music was an interracial, interdenominational, and inspirational message.  Organizing choirs was his special talent. T his talent was not limited to his church, but was known throughout the city.  He was founder of the Palestine City-Wide Youth Choir and later organized the Palestine Community Choir, as well as combined choirs in the Palestine Area for city-wide interdenominational revivals, Black History programs, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrations, and for any occasion wherein music was needed to enhance a service.  He was a lover of gospel music ~ a master of the keyboard with an extraordinary style of his own.  He served as musician of Holman Street Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Athens, Texas, a Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California, and as the music director and inspirational leader of Antioch Baptist Church.  He worked with his choirs with a demand for excellence, an expectation for singers to know to Whom and why they sing God's praises, and for God's message in song to be heard, felt, and understood.  Charles had been both presenter and participant in many music workshops due to his desire to continuously build his music ministry. Charles was known throughout the city, state, and nation.  he was respected by all for his talents and was known for his loving and compassionate personality, and his ever-present smile.  On Sunday Morning, March 10, 1996, he began his journey home to eternal rest.  He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Smith; a loving grandmother, Carrie Dew; a great-aunt and uncle, Mac Lou and John Eddie Joe; and uncles, Bobby Dew and Steve Mayfield. He leaves to cherish his memory:  his mother, Mary Alice Smith of Palestine, Texas; a brother, Allan (Randy) Smith of Charleston, South Carolina; two loving and devoted nieces, Shaunda and Monique Smith, both of Huntsville, Texas; an aunt, Bobbie Diggs of Palestine, Texas; a great-uncle, Willie Myers of Palestine, Texas; and numerous cousins, devoted friends, and acquaintances.

The pictures and images used on the Memorial Cemetery pages were
furnished by the Anderson County Historical Commission and the pages
were compiled by Beverly Bailey Odom and Scott Fitzgerald.

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Copyright 2005 -
East Texas Genealogical Society and the Individual Contributors