Charlene McDougle Smith
Passed 01/12/2022
Charlene was the first of two siblings and the daughter of Charles and Lucile McDougle. She had been ill for some time and was in the hospital in Greensboro being cared for by her two daughters and health care staff when she transitioned.
Charlene spent her formative years in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as a loving daughter and caring sister to her brother Charles. While attending public schools in Chapel Hill, she was also an active member in First Baptist Church. Upon moving to Greensboro, N.C., she became an active member of St. James Presbyterian Church. Her presence among her classmates, community friends and church members had a profound impact on building life long friendships with each of these communities and created many proud moments for her family to witness through-out her lifetime.
As the proud daughter of two prominent parents of Chapel Hill, N.C, Charles and Lucile McDougle, for whom an elementary and middle schools have been named, she understood image and expectations, during the Jim Crow era. Her father rose to principal and administrator in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. Her mother was a dedicated teacher for over 25 years in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. They predeceased her in passing; however, their commitment to providing quality education to all students greatly impacted the future careers of Charlene and her daughters.
Charlene is a graduate of Hampton University, where she met Horace, who is a graduate of Hampton University also. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Syracuse University. Charlene lived most of her adult life in Syracuse where the girls were raised under her and Horace’s loving and unerring guidance.
During her marriage to Horace Smith, the celebrated college retention and graduation expert who holds a doctorate degree from Cornell University and is a retired SU Vice President, the couple had two daughters, Tonya and Tamara Smith. Following in their parent’s footsteps, Tonya and Tamara attended SU as well. Tamara continues the legacy by working in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City School district, while Tonya works for a tax-auditing firm.
Ever beautifully attired for all occasions, impeccably auburn~coifed Charlene was the model of rectitude with a persona that not only her daughters successfully emulated, but other women of all ages did too. In Syracuse, Charlene was a practicing Baptist and a member of Jack and Jill Inc. while her girls were growing up. She also was an active member of the Syracuse city chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. among her civic engagements. Professionally, Charlene was a Syracuse Public Schools social worker and later an administrator, who could always be relied upon to guide pupils to wise and supported choices as they navigated the learning experience.
Over the past 12 years, Charlene has lived in Greensboro, developing many close relationships, especially among her church community. She was an active member in St. James Presbyterian Church and participated in dance, choir, and hand-bells.
Charlene was known for her infectious smile, her kind and generous spirit, and her willingness to befriend newcomers. In addition to Horace, Tonya, Tamara—both of North Carolina , and Charlene’s brother Charles ( Janice) McDougle, Charles A. McDougle, III of Temple Hills, MD. Sandra Harris, Saquandra Heath of Raleigh, NC. , Lawrence McDougle, Jr. (Denise) of Denville, NJ And.numerous friends and relatives in Syracuse, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, and beyond mourn the passing of Charlene McDougle Smith. Moses McClam, her former husband of Greensboro, N.C., also mourn her death. All the same, we must be comforted by the blessing that her suffering is no more, and she, who remained a woman of faith, has ascended to the best place for angels like her.
A service honoring her life will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday January 30, 2022 in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel.
Funeral services for Charlene McDougle Smith are planned for family only. A memorial service will occur in the spring. Donations in her name can be gifted to McDougle Elementary school in Chapel Hill - Carrboro school district. Professional service is entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.