Carol June Smith

Carol June Smith, born in Huntington, Indiana, passed away peacefully at Kingston Care Center on Sunday, January 15, 2023.  She was born June 11, 1930 in Huntington, Indiana, to Carl and Lela (Hare) Jackson.  On September 11, 1949 she married Clarence E “Red” Smith, the Love of her life.   In their 67 years together they had 5 children, and numerous pets until he passed away February 1, 2016.   Carol worked at Caswell-Runyan in Huntington, and later at Southwick School, Community Mortgage, and Charleston Realtors in Fort Wayne, but her family always knew they came first in her life.  She had a love for all animals. Their backyard was like a sanctuary for stray cats, wild critters and birds, which they fed and sheltered for over 40 years. The squirrels would even come to the door to get cookies. She had a talent for drawing and painting. She had a green thumb and enjoyed tending to her beautiful flower gardens.  She was also an avid reader, (we often joked she read every book in the library!) She was a crossword puzzle whiz, and had a knack for working jigsaw puzzles, as well as the home reigning champion of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Carol had a talent for cooking and baking, and some of her recipes were featured in the newspaper.  In her recent years she suffered memory loss, but her kind spirit, smile and good humor remained.   Her family will miss her dearly.   Surviving are sons Craig Smith, Randy Smith, and Brad Smith and his wife Jennifer Altherr, along with daughter Janice Derek and son-in-law Bob Derek. Grandchildren include Justin Bastress of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sarah McCrammer and her husband Justin of Fort Wayne, Wendy Miller Rothman and her husband Ryan Rothman of Land O'Lakes, Florida, along with Brittney Benzinger and her husband Joe of Fort Wayne. Great grandchildren include Madelyn, Jaxon and Ryder McCrammer, Elena Michelle and Denver Argerbright, and Corrinne Rothman, and Bailey, Owen and Bristol Benzinger. Carol was also  preceded in death by daughter Carla Suzanne Smith on March 15, 1980.

A private Celebration of Life will service for both Red and Carol will be held at a later date. 

Please sign the guest book and leave a memory on the Tribute Wall.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Humane Fort Wayne, Black Forest Cat
Café or Black Pine Animal Park.

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