Roy Smith

On March 11th, 1938, Roy Charles (Charlie) Smith was born in Terre Haute, Indiana to William Smith and Ethel Mae Johnson Smith. Charlie was the youngest of seven, having four brothers and two sisters. They grew up with humble beginnings where he learned to appreciate and count his blessings. His mom brought him up in the Christian faith and he surrendered his life to Jesus at an early age. In his teens, he moved to Phoenix, AZ where he became involved in the local Assembly of God. Rev. V. E. Shores was the pastor and his mentor for many years. In this church, he learned what it meant to follow Christ and where his servant's heart began.
In late November 1957, he met Donna Lou Meixsell on a blind date through his brother Wayne and his wife Perceline. For Charlie, it was love at first sight. He knew in his heart that this was the one for him, and within a few weeks had asked her to marry him and kept on asking until she finally accepted. On March 8th, 1958 they were married in the Nazarene Church of Phoenix, which was the start of a beautiful love story.

Charlie worked in the banking industry after they were married and in April of 1961 welcomed their first daughter, Brenda Sue in Tucson, Arizona. He felt the call of God on his life to become a minister and so in January of 1963, they moved to Texas so he could become a student at Southwestern Assemblies of God College/University. Charlie continued working days in banking and other odd jobs while Donna worked the night shift at Southwestern Bell, so they could each care for their young daughter. He graduated with his associates degree. While they were living in DeSoto, they welcomed their second daughter Cheryl Ann in May of 1967.
Charlie always loved cars, and it was during their early years in Texas that he went into car sales. He had a genuine heart and smile that made him a good, honest salesman. Through the years, he worked for several car dealerships and even owned a car dealership with his brother Wayne. During the mid-1980's he began working for Auto USA as a vehicle buyer for The Holt family. This working relationship was one that Charlie enjoyed and never wanted to retire from, so he kept on working until early this year. Being a part of Auto USA allowed him to develop life-long relationships with many dealers across Texas.

The greatest love of his life, was his relationship with Jesus. Charlie lived the life in everything he said and did. If there was someone in need, he would always do his best to meet that need. During the 1970's, he became a licensed minister with the Foursquare Gospel Church and was an assistant pastor under J. LeRoy McDill in Duncanville, Texas. In the late 1970's, as an ordained minister, he and Donna pastored a small Foursquare Church in Arlington, Texas. He had a heart for the people of Arlington and faithfully served there for over 11 years. Charlie continued serving in many local churches and spent many years, doing everything from cleaning to preaching. For many years, he would gather donation items for Hungry Kids International which heads Christ-centered orphanages in Mexico. He would make the trip once a month to deliver those items. After he was physically unable to make the trip anymore, he would support them financially. He learned early on, the value of missions. He loved telling others about Christ so he faithfully supported missionaries at home and abroad, because he wanted everyone to know his Jesus.

Charlie's other great love was for his family. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of 59 years, Donna. A strong, role-model to his daughters and sons-in-law Brenda and Chris Campbell, Cheryl and Steve Banks. He loved and enjoyed their six grandchildren, Jennifer McFadin, Jonathan McFadin, Jordan McFadin, Nicholas Banks, Jennifer Campbell and Christopher Campbell. Along with the grandchildren, he welcomed their spouses into the family, Tamra Green McFadin. Allie Haupers McFadin and Kodi Jo Morris Banks. But his biggest smiles came from their eight great-grandchildren, Aidan Charles McCartney, Ian Bradley McFadin, Isabelle Ainsley Whittington, Tucker Matthew McFadin, Isaac Timothy McFadin, Lane Robert Banks, Easton Bruce McFadin and the great-granddaughter who preceded him in death, Peyton Grace McFadin.

During Charlie's life, he endured many hardships, yet he was never one to complain, he lived with an attitude of gratitude. He leaves behind a legacy of love, life-long friendships and a relationship with Jesus. His life was lived out through this very simple anaogram, J-O-Y, Jesus First, Others-Second and Yourself-Last. To him that was real, heartfelt JOY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Bible Society or The Gideon's International.

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