Charles Smithson

Charles C. Saucer Smithson, age 80, resident of Cleveland, passed away Sunday, October 08, 2006, in a local hospital. He was born November 29, 1925 in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelyn Scott Smithson. He graduated from Bradley High School in 1943. He was a football player in high school. Upon graduation he entered the U. S. Marine Corps in 1943. He immediately saw action as a machine gunner in the First Armored Battalion in the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Guam. He was wounded on the beaches of Guam in 1944 and received the Purple Heart. He received various medals for marksmanship and valor. While he was receiving physical therapy for wounds in the Memphis Naval Hospital, he met and married Navy Wave (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), Jackie Smithson. Charles served several years as a commander of the V. F. W. in the mid sixties and was recognized as a National Aide-de-camp for the highest recruitment of new members. He was a member of the American Legion, V. F. W. and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and had made several friends thru these organizations. He was an avid golfer and competitive sportsman. He was a 65 year member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

He is survived by one daughter and son in law, Charlene Beth and Miles Gates of Cleveland, TN, one son and daughter in law, Martin Scott and LeAnn B. Smithson of Melbourne, FL. 5 grandchildren, Robert M. Smithson, Kathryn Elizabeth Smithson and JoAnna Lee Smithson all of Melbourne, FL and Dr. Michael M. and Robin Blackmon of Rome, GA and William Scott Blackmon of Virginia Beach, VA. 2 great grandchildren, Michael Reid Blackmon and Abby Elizabeth Blackmon of Rome, GA.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. at Grissom Funeral Home with Rev. Andy Ferguson, Senior Pastor of Broad Street United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be held privately at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements by Grissom Funeral Home. Phone 476.8575 for more information. You may send online condolences to www.grissomfh.net