CHARLOTTE JEAN GROVES SMITH

Born on January 14, 1932 in Belton, Texas to Bessie Cox and William Ellet-Daddy Groves. She passed peacefully, just shy of her 92nd birthday, on Thursday, Dec 21, 2023, after a lengthy ride on the roller-coaster of Alzheimer’s dementia. Charlotte went by many names, all dear to her heart: Mom, Grandma, Grannie, Gigi, Aunt Wonderful, Momma Jean and ‘beautiful friend’ to many. “Baby Jean” was the youngest of 7 children, and at the tender age of 16, Charlotte married the love of her life, Ira “Nick” Smith. ‘Cookie’ and Nick spent the honeymoon years of their life in San Diego while Nick was serving aboard the USS Piedmont in the Navy. After which, they high-tailed it back to Texas, settling in Fort Worth where they built their home in 1952. This became their life-long residence. Charlotte lovingly made their house into a forever home; the home that everyone in town knows as Nick & Charlotte Smith’s family’s place. Nick & Charlotte recently celebrated 75 years of forever ‘till death do we part’ marriage. During those 75 years, the house always smelled of delicious food cooking & Charlotte could be heard yelling, “Nick!” (with a small grin on her face) when he’d say something crass or steal her specialty crescent rolls before they were fully baked. Nick & Charlotte were blessed with 3 children, Steve, Cindy, and Wade, 8-Grandchildren and 10-Great-Grandchildren. Charlotte truly devoted her life to serving others—always finding time & energy to care for her family, her friends, FWISD schools, her bakery & retail customers, & her south side community. She generously gave her time & talents to all in need in whatever capacity she could. Charlotte was a jewel of a wife, an extraordinary mother, an incomparable grandmother, an accomplished baker, painter, cook, caregiver, occasional table dancer, and overall astounding human being who made everyone around her want to be a better person. As Charlotte was welcomed into the afterlife, she enjoyed a glad reunion day with her dear, doting Daddy & mother, her first born babe Steve, her beloved sister Dot, rowdy brother Herbert, brothers Chester, Harry, Clarence ‘Buddy’, sister Mary, her sister-like niece Trudy, and her youngest great-grandson Max. Charlotte surely hit the dance floor running with her sisters by marriage Nancy, Pam, Barbra, and all the rest of her joy-filled family and friends that went before her! Charlotte leaves behind, to keep on living; her devoted husband Nick, her passionate daughter (wild-child) Cindy & husband Randy, her baby precious Wade & wife Patti; her golden legacy of grands - Justin Kane, Summer Jean, Stacey Nicole ‘Nickie’, Ira Archie, Elisa Jean, Austin Reed, Cade Alexander, Walker Brooks, J. Mund, Fire Mike; her Great-Grands Randall, Lexi, Madison, Mackenzie, Ever, Gabriel, Israel, Enzo, Quino; nieces: Karen Jo, Charlotte Michelle, Jackie, Pat, Pam, Paula Kay nephews: Charlie, Clifford, Brandon, Jared. Honorary grandchildren: Aaron, Clarissa, & Danny Calderon, Matthew; many great-nieces, nephews, extended family, countless friends whom she considered family, and the many precious souls who lovingly serve at Sunrise memory care & became her second family in her home away from home.

Family and friends will gather from 1 to 2 pm Wednesday, December 27, in the Chapel at Robertson Mueller Harper with a Funeral Service beginning at 2 pm.  Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Laurel Land Memorial Park.