Obituary

Charles Leon Smith was born on February 7, 1953, in Charleston, WV, to the union of Frances Elizabeth Smith and James Smith. He departed this life on February 19, 2024, in Kent, WA.

Leon was baptized early in life by the Rev. Robert Calloway, then pastor of United First Baptist Church. Young Leon grew up in Cabin Creek, along with his brothers, Melvin, Marvin and Gregory. Upon the death of his beloved mother, Frances, he and his young brothers moved to Rand, WV, to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Samuel Calloway.

Leon attended DuPont High School, where he was a star athlete, playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. His record for the 100-yard dash stood until broken by star athlete Randy Moss. Upon graduating from Dupont in 1972, Leon attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he received a degree in Business Administration in 1976.

In 1977, Leon married Emma Witten, having three sons born to this union, Charles II, Andrew and Lucas. His career started as a bank loan officer and co-owner of Smith & Smith Trucking Company with his brother, Marvin. In his next career move, Leon successfully completed the National Auto Dealers Association Minority Dealers Program, becoming an auto dealer of Champion Ford, located in Scranton, PA. His business was ranked 94th out of the 100 Best Black Business in Black Enterprise Magazine. Leon’s business interest brought him to Philadelphia, PA, and then later to the Seattle, WA, area.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Frances, and brothers, Melvin and Gregory.

Leon is survived by his three sons, Charles II and wife Jariss of Potomac, MD, Andrew and wife Vivian of West Chester, PA, and Lucas of Philadelphia, PA; his dear sister, Delores Calloway of Charleston, WV, and his beloved brothers, Marvin Smith of Charleston, WV, and Clyde Dearing of Columbus, OH; five beautiful grandchildren, Aniff, AJ, Ava, LJ and Annabella; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV. Burial will follow at Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow, WV.

Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements.