CHARLENE SMITH KREEGER

Charlene Smith Kree-ger, 76, of Leesburg, Fla., passed away on July 17, 2023, in Hudson Oaks, Tex.
Charlene was born on November 16, 1946, in Quincy, Ill., to her loving parents Wilbur Smith and Janet (Bronestine) and raised in LaGrange, Mo. There she met and married Jim Kreeger. Jim’s service with the US Navy brought them many places before ultimately settling in Gulfport, Miss., to raise their family and then retiring in The Plantation in Leesburg, Florida in 2008.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, the Plantation Pickleball Association, and The Eagles Club. Charlene enjoyed spending her time playing pickleball and other sports, taking care of her house and flowers, playing cards and games with friends and traveling the world. Charlene was a loving mother to her two daughters; Natalie and Leslie.

Due to her nurturing nature, she grew close to the three Spanish exchange students whom she hosted until they graduated from high school; Gema Barranco, Sylvia Giráldez, and Marta Bayón. She was very detail oriented and organized and could always be counted on to get all her friends together or to plan a trip. She worked as a contracting officer for the United States Navy for 37 years before her retirement.

Charlene is survived by her two daughters; Natalie Kreeger of Hudson Oaks, Tex., and Leslie Kreeger of Fort Worth, Tex., two nieces: Tamia Miller and Annetta Austin of Enterprise, AL, and a nephew; Kent White of LaGrange, Mo.  

Charlene is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Jim, a sister, Elaine White, and her parents.

Graveside services and inurnment will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at East Midway Cemetery near LaGrange with Pastor Barry Pfister officiating.