Charles A. Smith Sr. attended W.C Handy in Elementary School, then Burrell Slater, where he was a drum major and ran track and field. In the U.S Marine Corps, he obtained his diploma as well as other honors: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon just to name a few.

Charles A. Smith, Sr., was the son of Grady Smith, Sr., and Katie Reeder Smith and the brother of Grady Smith, Jr., all of whom preceded him in death. Charles accepted Christ as his lord and savior at a young age at Armstead Chapel C.M.E., and he was an Auburn fan.

To carry on Charles A. Smith, Sr.'s legacy are: his son, Charles A. Smith, Jr.; daughter, Alisa T. Smith; granddaughter, Lia D. Smith; sister-in0law, Ellanor G. Smith; and other friends, family members, and U.S. Vets.

His favorite sayings were:

"Kiss Lia on the forehead for him."

"If it looks like a duck, walk like a duck,

sound like a duck, it's a duck."

"Let it be, let it be."