Charlene Cornelius Smith

Charlene Cornelius was born 9/4/33 in Allen’s Chapel, Texas, just outside of Honey Grove.Her parents, Cora and Charlie, farmed 65 acres and raised twelve children; Charlene was number 12 and most definitely favored according to her older sisters, Mary and Margia.She worked on the farm and went to school in the local two room school down the road from their house.Since Charlene was the youngest of twelve children, she was an ‘Aunt’ when she was born and went to school with her nephews and nieces, Wayne, Jerry Fred, Anna Beth, Shirley and Peggy Jo.Between starting school when she was 5 and skipping 2 grades later, Charlene graduated from Honey Grove High School at the grand old age of 15.Since she was too young to move away for school or a job, she worked at the local ‘5 and Dime’ store until she was 17 when her parents allowed her to move to Dallas. Once in Dallas, she worked as a teletype operator for Wall Street Journal and later for other companies including Gibson Stores, General Foods, and Neiman Marcus Catalogue.She retired from Western Electric. She met and married J. D. McDonald in 1952, and four children followed, Becky, Ricky, Susan and Cindy.They lived in Mesquite until Charlene and J. D. parted ways.A card with the following statement was found in Charlene's things when she moved in 2012:“I grew another heart each time I gave birth.”This shows the kind of mother Charlie has always been; she gave everything for her children.She taught her children to love God, work hard, and be honest and productive citizens.When there was a room mother job to do, she was there.Many nights at midnight she might still be up baking cookies for school, sewing dresses for her girls or typing English essays or science projects that were due the next day.“Her children arise and call her blessed.”Proverbs 31:28 In 1983, Charlie married Arthur L. Smith.They built their dream-home on Lake Fork where they lived until 2012.They fished, entertained, and were good neighbors. Charlie liked to help others, sew, watch baseball, play games, especially Bingo and Skipbo, ride a pedal boat, and collect bells.She was an excellent cook and made each child and grandchild’s favorite foods for family gatherings.She always had ‘prizes’ for the grandkids when they played Bingo. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, Cora Elsie Denson and Charlie Cornelius, and all of her siblings, Lottie Ramsey, Lois Webb, Fred Cornelius, Pauline Cornelius, Opal Dixon, Jewell Groves, Roy Thomas Cornelius, Clifton Charles Cornelius, Earl Cornelius, Mary Fortenberry, and Margia Hartman. Charlene’s family members who cared for her in life and will continue to love and cherish her memory are:daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Lee Poe of Flint, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Ginger McDonald of Heath, Texas; daughter, Susan McDonald of Dallas, Texas; and daughter, Cindy Thompson of Forney, Texas.She is also survived by her grandchildren, Amy Gibson and husband Ronnie, Jenn Harrell and husband Marshall, Jason Thompson, Whitney Connell and husband Cody, Lacy DeLeon and husband Lee, and Laura Allen and husband Kindell.And the joys of Mama Granny’s heart are her seven great-grandchildren, Harley Thompson, Landon and Luke DeLeon, Nathan and Ashley Harrell, Avery and Emma Connell. She leaves behind a host of friends and extended family whom she loved deeply while she lived on earth.“A woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”Proverbs 31:30 In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.