Charles R. “Charlie” Smith

It is with great regret that we announce the passing of the Honorable Charles R. “Charlie” Smith. Charlie left this earth on 7-24-17 at 7:30 pm. Charlie was a loving husband and father as well as an active leader in the community. He is preceded in death by his soul mate and loving wife of 58 years, Evelyn S. Smith. Charlie is survived by his daughter, Laura Lynn Byess and her husband Donnie of Jasper, and his son, Charles Edward Smith, a Captain and 20-year veteran of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and his wife Jessica; grandchildren Stewart Chase Smith, Christa Bowen (Allen), Scott Herrington (Cassondra), Jason Byess (Jessica), and Kelly DeBord; and numerous great grandchildren.

Charlie is survived by sisters-in-law--Louise Long, Sue Smith, and Grace Stewart-- and several nieces and nephews.

Charlie is also survived by his loving companion, Beverly Hall, and her daughter, Lori Muenchow.

Charlie was a prominent criminal defense attorney and practiced law in Atlanta for 35 years. During his time practicing law his accomplishments are too many to innumerate, but include trying and winning the first RICO case in the State of Georgia. He presented three cases to the United States Supreme Court in which all three cases were ruled in his favor, one of which established case law for wire taps in the State of Georgia. He retired from practicing law after a prolific career only to take an appointment as the Municipal Court Judge for the City of Cumming and retired after 22 years of service on the bench.

Charlie served in the United States Army. He was a founding member of the South Forsyth Rotary Club. He served on the Board of Directors at Peoples Bank of Forsyth County and Citizens Bank of Forsyth County. He was also co-founder of Bald Ridge Lodge Boys Home. He was an active member of Yarrab Shrine Temple of Atlanta for 50 years, serving as Temple Attorney for several years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bald Ridge Lodge Boys Home. Donations to the boy’s home can be taken to any Citizens Bank location in Cumming, to the attention of Tim Perry or mailed to Citizens Bank, Attn: Tim Perry, 651 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Cumming, GA 30040.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August, 4^th 2017 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and again on Saturday, August 5^th  from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Cumming.

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.