Charles Orlando Smith

Charles Orlando Smith, beloved husband of 15 years to Tawanna Browne Smith and devoted father to Amir Charles Tracy Smith and Asad Jason Smith, was born in Charleston, South Carolina on January 12, 1971.

Charles attended St. Andrews Elementary, C.E. Williams Middle School and St. Andrews High School where he graduated in 1989. He attended Georgia Southern for a short while before enlisting in the Navy in 1990.

On active duty, ISC Smith served as an intelligence specialist. Early in his career, he was stationed in Korea and Japan before leaving active duty to finish his higher education.

Charles graduated from Coppin State University in 2000 with a degree in Criminal Justice. While attending  Coppin State, he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Delta Beta Chapter. He served as a Basileus for four years, Keeper of Records and Seals for four years, 2nd District Representative and 2nd District Corridor Rep. Brother Smith was a member of Pi Omega graduate chapter before becoming a charter member of Theta Mu Mu graduate chapter in Baltimore County.

Throughout college and in the years following, Charles remained a Navy Reservist. He continued to hone his skills serving as an interrogator with specialized units deploying on multiple occasions to combat zones in support of Naval Special Warfare operations. He concluded his military service after 20+ years of combined service, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Charles is affectionately known as Chuck or Smitty to many friends. Charles enjoyed many activities including golfing, fishing, hunting, shooting, and traveling. Most importantly, he loved sports, particularly football. Anyone who knew him can attest to his fanatic love for his favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Clemson Tigers.

Above all else, Charles loved his family deeply and was extremely dedicated as a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Charles left his earthly body on December 1, 2019 after a hard fight with cancer to be with the Lord. He is survived by his devoted wife Tawanna Browne Smith of Brooklyn, NY, with whom he spent his last night on Earth; by his children Amir and Asad; his parents Jannette Ford Smith and Ezzard Charles Smith; brothers Marvin Johnson and Jami Smith; sisters Ashley Jordan and Alexis Jordan Yates; and many more family members. He touched the lives of many co-workers, frat brothers, Navy buddies, and friends.

Life will not be the same without him. He will be sorely missed.

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