Minnie Critchley Smith

Minnie Catherine Critchley Smith, affectionately known to all as Minnie, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. She was born on April 3, 1947, in Fayette County, West Virginia, to parents, Jason Thornton Critchley and Edna Culpepper Critchley.

Surviving are her husband of 60 years, Arthur Lyle Smith; sons Michael Lyle Smith and his wife Elaine, Arthur Wade Smith, Mark Alan Smith and his wife Karen Ruth, and daughter Tracy Smith Noojin and her husband Frank. Minnie was grandmother to Erica Abigail Smith(Joseph Parker), Alexandra Dubey, Blake Dubey, Maddi Duvall, Meris Smith, Chase Smith, and Chloe Smith, and great-grandmother to Stetson Priest. Siblings; Rev. Thornton "Jim" Critchley and his wife Christine, Nancy Critchley Malay and her husband Bill, and Debra Critchley Roland and her husband Rex. She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings Arbutus Critchley, Aryana Cook, Richard Critchley, Della Keatts, Earl Critchley, and daughter-in-law Terry Smith.

Minnie and her husband, Lyle, moved to South Carolina and started a hearing aid business in 1975. They opened a location on Hazel Street in downtown Charleston, now occupied by The Charleston Place Hotel. They continued to grow their business, and in 1982, they became franchisees of a national corporation, Miracle-Ear. Over the years, they grew their business to 30+ stores across the southeast. In 2018, well into their 70’s, they decided to retire and sell their business.

When Minnie was not working, she was pursuing her other passion, golf. She had a late start, learning in her 30’s, but won many tournaments including Ladies Club Champion at her home course, Berkeley Country Club, and many trophies at her second home course, Pinehurst, in NC. Her passion was undeniable to anyone that met her and she could be heard convincing non-golfers to learn the game.

Minnie showed that determination in everything she did. She loved creating new recipes in the kitchen, snow skiing, fishing, landscape design, playing cards and traveling with her family. She raised her four children to believe that they could do anything, if they were willing to work hard and never quit. She was firm in her beliefs and had extremely high standards. She was the family Matriarch, dependable and unwavering with her love, but she had little tolerance for dishonesty or laziness. She lived a godly life, and her family, friends and employees loved her deeply. 

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS the family requests that memorials be made to Alzheimer's Association. Please see the link below.