Brevard - Charlie "C.J." Harvey Smith Jr., 48, peacefully slipped away in his sleep Sunday, December 22, 2024. He is with our Lord.

C.J. is survived by his wife, Debbie Michell Smith, of the home, his mother Rita R. Smith of Brevard. Daughter Siarrah Lekan of Brevard, favorite granddaughter Evahlyn Lekan, and favorite not-yet-born grandson.

C.J. was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Harvey Smith Sr. and grandparents, Harvey & Ethel Holden Smith of Brevard, Lucille Tolbert Slatton of Benton, AR, Ray E. Richey of Black Rock, AR, and Uncle Kenneth Richey of Bee Branch, AR.

C.J. is a 1994 graduate of Brevard High School. He was an avid sports fan whether playing or watching- soccer, football, basketball, softball.  He played Transylvania Little League from 1982-1992. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and turkey shoots with his mother. C.J and his friends knew every fishing hole in Transylvania County. He enjoyed gardening, swimming, jacked-up trucks, and 4 Wheelers. He graduated from playing in garden dirt as a toddler to hauling dirt and propane gas after obtaining his CDL with a HazMat endorsement. He also enjoyed vacationing in the Ozark Mtns of AR to visit family.

He served as a volunteer fireman with one term as chief with North Transylvania Volunteer Fire Department as well serving with Connestee Fire & Rescue.

He had a dynamic personality and zest for life. He was 19-year survivor of a Traumatic Brain Injury, perhaps his legacy is to show others not to give up on themselves. Doctors had said he was a walking - talking miracle. We were lucky to have had him these last 19 years.

C.J. will be so missed by all who knew him, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, new and old. He was always a loving husband, son, father, and grandfather.

The funeral service will be held at 2 PM Friday, January 3, 2025, at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.

Moody Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.