Carol R. Smith, 66, of Florence, died on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at Keller Landing, Tuscumbia, as a result of complications from early-onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Carol was born on Dec. 5, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up in the Chicago area before moving to Florence, where she attended the University of North Alabama and met her husband Dickie. Carol’s gregarious personality and quick wit helped her to make lifelong friends in the cities where she lived after Florence: Savannah, Georgia, Hattiesburg, Mississippie, Ridgeland, Mississippi, and Edmond, Oklahoma. She delighted in her family and took great pride in her role as wife and mother. Her children’s schools and the communities in which she resided also recognized her devotion. Her designation as Parent of the Year by the Olde Towne Middle School and service as President of the Edmond, Oklahoma Newcomer’s Club, are just two examples of her many accomplishments. She always loved sitting on the porch with a glass of wine or Club Special and spending time with her favorite people.
Carol is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Dick Smith, of Florence; daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Andrew Hoekstra, of Chicago, Illinois; son, Matthew, of Nashville, Tennessee; granddaughter, Grace Hoekstra, of Chicago; sister, Bunny Johnson, of Lombard, Illinois; brothers, Bob (Nancy) Ruhl, of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Don Ruhl (Neil Weikel), of Los Angeles, and John Ruhl, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Martha Raye Chandler, of Florence, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, Robert and Virginia Ruhl, her brothers-in-law, Bob Johnson and Lloyd Chandler, and her father and mother-in-law, Ray and Jewel Smith, preceded her in death.
The family will receive visitors and celebrate Carol’s life on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from noon until 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Florence. As a tribute to Carol’s love of fashion, we invite you to wear a bright color that makes you feel good.
Although Alzheimer’s robbed Carol of what should have been her best years, her family takes comfort in the fact that she is no longer suffering. The family would like to thank the staff at Keller Landing and Gentiva Hospice for their care and support over the last several months.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Shoals PAWS.
Arrangements are by Greenview Funeral Home.
