Charlene Smith

Faith Charlene Smith, age 86, passed away in the presence of her beloved husband of 69 years, Richard Smith, on December 18, 2022. She was born July 12, 1936, in Toledo, OH to Charles and Hazel (Bacon) Bylow. Charlene, a lifelong resident of the Toledo area attended Waite High School, and worked many years for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission where she developed some longtime friends that were very important to her.  She was very proud of her family and each and every one of them were so very important to her. She is survived by her sister, Elaine Muzi, and her brother, Chuck Bylow (Carol). As the matriarch of a large family, she is also survived by her three daughters; Cynthia Killy, Rebecca Howard (Patrick), and Dianne Lowery (Christopher), two sons; Chuck Smith (Diane) and Rick Smith (Christine), nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She greatly impacted the lives of the family and the many friends with her humor, compassion, and bearing as a strong, independent woman. As one of her great-granddaughters noted, she was the “most rebellious” woman she knew, a point of pride for the whole family.

She passed along her love of music and sports to her family, which includes several musicians and athletes. She was a prolific reader, particularly of 800-page historical novels, which she somehow finished while raising five kids at the age of 24. Her love for dogs was also passed to the family, and there was never a time in her 69 years of marriage without a four-legged companion in the house.

Ready, willing, and able to take on all comers, she relished controversial discussions and never backed down from an argument with anyone, whether militia members in Northern Michigan who challenged her political views or family members who ended up being schooled in the art of debate.

As the center of her family and loyal friend to many, we will all remember her whenever we see a cardinal or hear the song “Misty.”

Family and friends may visit at the Freck Funeral Chapel , 1155 S. Wynn Road, Oregon, OH, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., with the memorial service to be held at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Charlene’s name may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or to Helping Hands of St. Louis.