CHARLENE B. SMITH

TECUMSEH, Okla. - Charlene B. Smith, 64, of Tecumseh, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Charlene was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Ashland City, Tennessee. She played basketball with the world-famous Coach Pat Summit and graduated from Cheatham County High School. She joined the U.S. Air Force in 1975. She rose through the ranks in the finance and accounting department and attended MTSU. After 13 years of honorable service, she separated and immediately entered civil service, still working with the financial career field and the USAF. She rose to the grade of GS 13 and retired in 2010. The impact she had after 33 years on the USAF and DOD financial field is legendary in the service. Her impact was felt from base level at Shaw Air Force Base to Headquarters Air Combat Command at Langley, Virginia. Those she trained and mentored are legion throughout a grateful Air Force. She was truly the best of the best.

Charlene shared 35 years and many wonderful adventures with her husband, Grover C. Smith.

She was preceded in death by her mother; and the grandparents who raised her, Jessi and Maggie.

She is survived by her husband, Grover C. Smith of Tecumseh; two daughters, Alicia Ann Russell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Holly Ramsey of Nashville; and six grandchildren, Christian, Hunter, TJ, Braden, Ryan and Brynn. She adored her pets, Bogey and Sabrina.

Charlene will be sorely missed by all who she touched, whether from her beloved crafting or just being a good neighbor. Charlene had a devastating stroke at the early age of 56. Despite odds of never walking again, much less crafting, driving and leading a normal life, through sheer determination and Tennessee grit she overcame. Up until the day of her death, she was walking, driving, crafting, sewing and making a wonderful home for her husband to live in and family and friends to visit. She was indeed one in a million.

Cremation arrangements by Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

To share memories or to sign the guestbook online, go to www.cooperfuneral.com.