Charles Benjamin Smith

Born in Ayden, North Carolina, Charles Benjamin Smith, Sr. of Greenville, North Carolina went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 14, 2025, after an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his wife Marcia Hardy Smith, of the home and son Charles Benjamin Smith, Jr. also of the home. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Robert Paul Smith Sr. and Lucy McLawhon Smith of Ayden, North Carolina and his brother Robert P. Smith, Jr. of Arapahoe, North Carolina. He is also preceded in death by his father-in-law Thomas Hardy of Farmville, North Carolina.
He is survived by his sister, Kaye Bell of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, nephews, Edward Anthony Leone of Garden City, South Carolina, Paul Wesley Smith and Jonathan Scott Smith of Arapahoe, North Carolina, Jason Andrews Bell of Beaverton, Oregon, Miles Minges (Shannon), Landon Minges (Bridgett). and niece Angela Maria Leone of Lancaster, South Carolina and Elizabeth Whitley (Taylor) of Williamston, North Carolina.
Also surviving is his sister-in-law Peggy W. Smith of Arapahoe, North Carolina, mother-in-law, Sue Hardin Hardy of Winterville, North Carolina, sister-in-law Sarita Cawiezell and brother-in-law Tommy Hardy (Beth).
Charles attended Ayden High School and graduated from Oak Ridge Military Academy in Oak Ridge, North Carolina. He was a graduate of East Carolina University and a member of the Theta Pi Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at East Carolina University. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the ECU Pirate Club for many years.
Charles worked for Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated for over 30 years retiring from the
company as a regional sales manager for national accounts. His work afforded him the opportunity to travel all over the world. It was often said that "if you want to have a good time, find Charlie Smith." He was also an avid duck hunter, fisherman, and sportsman.
He married Marcia Hardy on May 30, 1992. On March 25, 1993, their only son Benjamin was born and proved to be the love of their lives. They cherished their family trips together, especially those special times in Alaska and Treasure Cay, Bahamas. Sadly, Benjamin went to be with the Lord on June 16, 2018.
The family is comforted in knowing that Charles was a Christian. This means that there is hope in Heaven and that being absent from the body assures presence with the Lord.
Visitation will be Saturday September 20th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at 2:00 at Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at Ayden Cemetery in Ayden, North Carolina.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the doctors and nurses of Carolina East Medical Center ICU and Palliative Care Unit, New Bern, North Carolina and the medical staff of The Service League of Greenville Hospice House for their special care.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to the ECU Health Foundation and include SLG Hospice House in the MEMO. Contributions can be mailed to PO Box 8489 Greenville, NC 27835 or online at ecuhealthfoundation.org/hospice