Charlotte Topping Smith

April 26, 1931 – December 29, 2012

After spending a joyful Christmas surrounded by many of her family members, Charlotte Topping Smith died unexpectedly on December 29, 2012. Born Charlotte Ann Lillard in St. Louis, Missouri, she grew up in Rogers, Arkansas. One of five children, she was the last to survive of her siblings, Bobbie Joe Ray, Dexter Lillard, Don Lillard and John Lillard. She graduated from nursing school in St. Louis, Missouri and was trained as a registered nurse. She moved to Miami, Florida where she met Daniel Reid Topping, the principal owner of the New York Yankees. Charlotte and Dan married in 1957 and lived in New York City, South Hampton, and Miami, Florida. Charlotte and Dan had five children: Robert Reid Topping, Thomas Scott Topping, John Arthur Topping, James Andrew Topping and Leigh Topping Brady. Widowed after 18 years of marriage, in 1975 she moved her five children from Miami to Atlanta to be closer to her brother, Don Lillard. She met Rankin M. Smith, Sr., the founder and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, on a blind date and they were married in 1976. Widowed again in 1997 upon the death of Rankin, she remained a resident of Atlanta until her recent passing.

In her younger years, Charlotte was a champion backgammon player, competing in national and international tournaments. She was a master at the art of needlepoint, having made hundreds of beautiful pieces ranging from 9’ by 12’ rugs for each of her children to pillows, tapestries, slippers, smaller rugs, belts, purses, frog bean-bag pillows, and Christmas stockings which will be cherished in her memory forever. Family came first to Charlotte. Also known as “Gran” and Grandma “T” by her grandchildren and friends of her grandchildren, she is survived by four of her children (and their spouses): Tom Topping (Laurie Topping), John Topping (Laura Topping), Jim Topping, Leigh Brady (Nicholas Brady, Jr.); by eleven grandchildren: Kristen Kyzer (and her husband Jeremy), Jamie Topping, Dani Topping, John Topping, Jr., Sally Topping, Daniel Topping, II, James Topping, Jr., Liza Topping, Nicholas Brady, III, Ryan Brady and Avery Brady; by nine step-children: Dan Topping, Jr. (Janice), Rhea Topping, Tracey Topping, David Topping (Kerri), Rankin Smith, Jr., Carroll Walraven, Dorothy Hines, Taylor Smith, and Karen Berger; and she is survived by numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Highly intelligent and with a wit that rivaled her brother, Don’s, she was an inspiration to family and friends. She was an amazing mother, step-mother and grandmother and had a special place in her heart for all children. She had a strong faith in God and remained happy and healthy until her final day on this Earth when she went to meet with God and rejoin her loved ones that predeceased her. She met life and death on her own terms. Charlotte will be greatly missed by her family and all those that had the privilege of knowing her.

A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip located at 2744 Peachtree Road in Buckhead at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 5th with a “celebration of life” reception to follow for family and friends at the Capital City Club in Brookhaven. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Lovett School, The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip, or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.