Patricia "Trish" Smith Giles

Patricia “Trish” Smith Giles of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on September 20, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family after her battle with cancer.

Trish was born on May 1, 1954, in Washington D.C., and grew up in Falls Church, VA, where she graduated from George C. Marshall High School in 1972.

Trish was known for her warm presence, easy smile, positive attitude, and deep love for her family. As the fifth child in a family of nine, she always lightened the mood and brightened the room with her jokes, teasing remarks, and laughter. Perhaps this explains her special fondness of clowns; she took pleasure showcasing her extensive collection of clown themed artwork and pieces. Throughout her career, Trish was especially known for her unique customer service, organizational skills, and office management. She held positions at Western Electric Telephone (AT&T), Smitty’s Building Supply, Carolina Volvo, and Window and Door Showplace, and other retail outlets.

Soon after joining the workforce at Western Electric, she crossed paths with a young Steve Giles, and her life changed forever. The two quickly became inseparable and were married on September 11, 1976, sharing 47 beautiful years together. With Steve, Trish found her safe harbor.Trish felt her greatest joy while in the company of her family: Steve, and their two sons and four grandsons. She beamed with pride and cherished every moment she could spend with “her boys”. She held full bragging rights and loved sharing stories about her boys’ many talents, inventions, performances, and overall curiosity about the world. Spending time with her boys meant developing a passion for college basketball, Redskins football, and Nationals baseball as well as a deep knowledge of the sports world. Trish gifted her boys with the purest form of love there is to give. They will take comfort in carrying her love forward with them always.

If you had the pleasure of meeting Trish, you knew she never met a stranger as she immediately welcomed you as family. An active member of her close- knit community, Trish always provided unwavering support. Her days were fully consumed with serving her family, friends and community wherever she lived. Her greatest pleasure in life was to make you smile. This was often achieved in the form of meticulously crafted loving meals and desserts tailored to the desires of the fortunate recipients. Some of her favorite dishes to cook were ribs, spaghetti, meatloaf, mashed potato boats, French Toast, and banana bread. To no surprise, she perfected Giles family recipes, which she adopted through marriage, for pork BBQ, apple pie, and of course “puffs.” She was the brightest light that epitomized fellowship and friendship.

Trish is survived by her husband, Steve Giles; sons, Ryan (Amanda) and Randy Giles; grandsons: Henry, Mark, Ben, and Leo Giles; brothers and sisters: Rick (Wendy) Smith, Mike Smith, Doug Smith, Lynn Pedrotti, Kathy Smith, Scott (Debra) Smith, Jeff (Elissa) Smith and Pam (Richard) Montaño; mother-in-law, Francis E. Giles; brother-in-law, Mike (Ellen) Giles; sister in-law, Christy Giles; 28 nieces and nephews; 39 great nieces and nephews; and 2 great great
nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Nelson H. Smith; mother, Patricia R. Smith; father-in-law, Arthur L. Giles; sister in-law, Nancy Smith; brother-in-law, Fred Pedrotti; sister-in-law, Joan Hollerich; and niece, Angie Smith.

A Celebration of Life will take place in her honor from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, September 24, 2023 at the Pepper Plantation Pavilion, 3536 Thunder Gulch Trail, Awendaw, SC 29429.  Another Celebration of Life will take place in her honor from 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM, October 1, 2023 at the Heritage Hunt Gulf Club, 6901 Arthur Hills Drive, Gainsville, VA, 20155.  Tell the gate security guard that you are there for the Giles Memorial at the club house.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com. 

Final arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.