Charlotte Elizabeth Smith

EASTPORT - Charlotte Elizabeth Smith, 95, of Eastport, died peacefully at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at Boulder Park Terrace in Charlevoix, while her church family was celebrating a lesson on Love and singing her favorite hymn, "Mother's Evening Prayer" by Mary Baker Eddy."O gentle presence, peace and joy and power; O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour, Thou Love that guards the nestling's faltering flight!Keep Thou my child on upward wing tonight.No snare, no fowler, pestilence or pain; No night drops down upon the troubled breast, When heaven's aftersmile earth's tear-drops gain, And mother finds her home and heav'nly rest."Charlotte was a lifelong Christian Scientist who rose early every morning to read the daily lesson.She was a longtime member of the Christian Science Society of Charlevoix and former member of First Church of Christ Scientist in Dearborn.Charlotte was born Oct. 1, 1908, in Saginaw, the daughter of Frederick and Emma Wilhemina (Bauer) Schmaller.
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Charlotte attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti for two years, planning to be a librarian, but became a mother and chose to be a homemaker.She enjoyed knitting and needlepoint and sewed beautiful clothing.She also enjoyed reading and loved books.Charlotte loved her home which was usually filled - because she was a gracious hostess, served lovely dinners, made the best cherry pies and always had a variety of warm cookies, her grandchildren's favorites.Charlotte was a warm and loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed being involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She taught her grandchildren how to find wildflowers in the woods and was a lifelong guide and inspiration to them.She enjoyed playing Dominoes with her children and grandchildren after dinner - and she often won!Charlotte gave Stanley his first orchid plant as a gift over 60 years ago, which inspired him to grow beautiful orchids.
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Charlotte had not been in the hospital since the birth of her children until three weeks ago when she broke her hip, but she faced her hospital stay with grace.She was happy that she could be in her own home for so long, thanks to the expert help of her youngest son, Fred.She took great pride in her family.
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Charlotte enjoyed special moments with her newest great-granddaughter, Ava Elizabeth Evenhouse, born in May 2003.A memorial service is being planned for springtime.Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Science Society of Charlevoix, 205 Clinton, P.O. Box 215, Charlevoix, MI 49720, or the Ellsworth Elementary School Library, 9467 Park St., Ellsworth, MI 49729.Arrangements were made by Hastings Funeral Home in Ellsworth.