Charlene Fator Smith

Charlene Fator Smith Charlene Fator Smith, 81, of Salisbury, North Carolina died in Lafayette, Louisiana on January 31, 2012, after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Daughter of the late Charles Dibrell Fator and Mary Helen Fator, Charlene was born on March 20, 1930 in San Antonio, Texas. The first-born of eight siblings, Charlene received a bachelor of music degree from Gaucher College in Baltimore, MD, where she continued a lifetime love of music. Charlene lived for many years in Arlington, Virginia before relocating to Salisbury in 1976 with her husband, Dr. David Hamilton Smith, Sr., a general surgeon with the Veteran’s Administration. Charlene met her husband of 51 years while Dr. Smith was in medical school in Richmond, Virginia. After training as a nurse anesthetist, Charlene worked in her husband’s practice for many years while raising her children and pursuing a variety of other interests such as tennis, swimming, woodworking, photography, electronics, and senior Olympics swimming. In Salisbury, Charlene was active in Toast Masters, an avid runner who completed marathons, and a cyclist. Ever one to value education and self-improvement, Charlene obtained a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1983. During her later years, Charlene developed a keen interest in the environment and wildlife leading her to engage in camping and cross-country travel in the 1990s with her dog companions Eddie, Inga, and Lilly. Traversing the continental United States several times, Charlene particularly enjoyed the beauty of Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Arches, and Pisgah National Forest. Prior to re-locating to live with her daughter in LaFayette in late January, Charlene maintained her vigor for life by caring for her dog Lilly, listening to music, gardening, bird watching, and exercising daily at a local gym, where she always felt welcome. Charlene is survived by her three children Holly Smith Flannery (John Flannery) of Lovettsville, Virginia; David (Sonny) Smith, Jr. (Tammy Howard) of Creedmoor, North Carolina; and Karen Smith of Lafayette, Louisiana; four grandchildren: Matthew Smith, Alexandra Kimbrough Smith, Daniel Smith, and Mary-Kathryn Smith, and siblings Jeptha Fator, Mary Johnston, Finis Fator, and Laura Fortson. She was pre-deceased by her husband David and siblings Susie Delaney, Norma Sligh, and Charles Fator. A memorial service is planned for March 10, 2012 at Charlene’s home in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Charlene Fator Smith

March 20, 1930 - January 31, 2012