Carol Ann Smith

On November 9, 1943, Carol Ann Smith was born in Oxford, North Carolina with her twin sister, Mary

Ann, to the Ethel Smith.

Carol and Mary were not just sisters, but they were best friends. They enjoyed various activities at

school and especially tricking their teachers because they looked so much alike. During that time,

growing up was not easy for Momma Ethel, Carol, Mary, Evelyn, Pat, and Barbara, but they always

stuck together. After high school graduation in 1961, she journeyed to New Jersey to seek new

opportunities. Carol stayed with friends while she settled down in Newark.

By about 1964, Carol became friends with Bessie Smith, who introduced Carol to her future husband,

Ralph K. Smith. They partied together; attended shows like James Brown; and ultimately fell in love.

Ralph and Carol married on September 10, 1966. They enjoyed road-trips to Atlantic City, Virginia,

and North Carolina. The Smiths also held many basement parties because they loved music and

people. Carol’s remedy for most celebrations was her yummy fried chicken.

In October 1968, Carol became a strong, loving mother of Pamela Denise. With Ralph’s commitment,

she was determined to give her daughter the best life possible. Their good times outweighed the bad

times and it lasted 54 years. Education was immensely important to the Smiths, so they sacrificed

and sent Pam to private schools and college. Carol often took self-improvement classes, to elevate

her skills.

Carol worked at various places, such as an attorney’s office, a book company, and the department

store, Bamberger’s (now Macy’s). The bulk of her career was spent at the NJ Telephone Company

(now Verizon) as a Data Clerk. Carol retired after 27 years of service, and she made many friends

along the way. During her retirement, she thoroughly enjoyed family time; shopping on QVC; and

making floral arrangements. After a challenging fight with her health, Carol transitioned from this

life on Friday, June 30.

We will always remember Carol as a generous and loving daughter, sister, aunt, niece, mother,

grandmother, mother-in-law, friend, and precious child of GOD. Her husband (Ralph), mother (Ethel),

twin sister (Mary Ann) and baby sister (Barbara) arrived in heaven before Carol. She leaves behind a

host of people to cherish her memory – devoted daughter, Pamela Robinson Smith (William), loving

grandson, Khary Smith-McCall, Aunt Oveda Mae Cooper, sister Alice Jones, and sister Evelyn Tyson

(James Sr). She also leaves behind sisters-in-law Hazel Wheeler (Nathan, d.), Naomi Brooks (John Sr),

Bessie Harris (William, d.), and Virgia Miller (Coleman, d.); and brothers-in-law, James Smith

(Claristine), Cleaven Smith (Jouette), and Andra Smith. Carol particularly loved all her nieces,

especially Melanie, and all her nephews, especially Nurideen. She cherished every person that

touched her life including other relatives, friends, classmates, and co-workers.

Family togetherness and family values were very important to Carol. We empower you to renew and

maintain the lessons she taught us. Faith, hope, and love are the glue that keeps GOD’s family as one

united force.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Ann Smith, please visit our floral store.