- Date Of Birth: September 6, 1931
- Date Of Death: December 16, 2016
- State: Maryland
Charles Wilson Smothers – husband, father, veteran, proud veterans advocate, and friend ¬– entered into eternal rest on Friday, December 16, 2016, in Easton, MD. He was 85.
Born September 6, 1931, to Mary Ellen Smothers-Bantum and Wilson Ayers, Charles lived most of his life in his hometown of Easton. He was baptized at an early age at Union Baptist Church, then later became a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. At 16, he left school to care for his family, working first at the Coca Cola plant, then The Tidewater Inn, and later Easton Wholesale. From 1951 to 1954, he served as a Medic in the Army during the Korean War. When he was discharged, he returned to The Tidewater Inn in Easton. Wanting something of his own, he tried his hand at several businesses in Delaware and New Jersey, but ultimately returned home to Easton. He became Head Custodian for the Caroline County Board of Education in Denton, MD, in the 70s, and remained until he retired 27 years later. Never one to sit idle, even in retirement Charles continued to work. He was a part-time janitor for Blake Blackston American Legion Post #77 in Easton, and VFW Post #5118 in Easton, as well as personal chauffer to the late Ms. “Polly” Shannahan, until his health failed.
Veteran affairs meant the world to Charles. He was not only an active, but devoted member of, and held many positions within the American Legion, Blake Blackston American Legion Post #77, VFW Post #5118, 40/8 Voiture #1371, and Blake Blackston S.A.L. Squadron #77. He served as Past North Eastern Shore District Commander for the American Legion, and Department Executive Committeeman for the American Legion Department of MD.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, John Wesley and Susie Smothers, and Mr. and Mrs. Todd Ayers; an uncle, Herman Mielke; and three brothers, William, Edward, and Charles Ayers.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cynthia Smothers; two sons, Charles Thomas of Philadelphia, PA, and Warren Baker of Salisbury, MD; one daughter, Krystle Smothers of Chicago, IL; ten grandchildren: Turkessa Dale, Tequario (Rodriguez) Talton, Toby Knox, Raheem Thomas, Nicole Pulley, Brittany Baker, Caryn Brown, Nahlya Baker, and Treyvon Smith; 14 great grandchildren; five sisters: Florence Brown of Chester, MD, Barbara Ayers of Easton, MD, Doris (Paul) Butler of Salisbury, MD, and Jean Moaney of Easton, MD, Brenda Brittingham of Easton, MD; one brother, Robert Ayers of Easton, MD; two special aunts, Shirley (James) Grace of Preston, MD, and Etta Butler of Preston, MD; four sister-in-laws, two brother-in-laws; one goddaughter; and an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
