Mrs. Carolyn Denise Jackson Smartt the seventh child of ten siblings, born on July 18, 1961, in Madison County, Alabama to the late Mrs. Juanita Seay Jackson and Mr. Ollie Lee Jackson, Sr. Her name’s sake was her grandmother “Mrs. Caroline Jackson.” She transitioned to her eternal home in Heaven on Saturday, July 13, 2024, just a few days short of her birthday.
Carolyn was born into a Christian home and attended church as a youth with her family. She confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young adult and was baptized by Reverend Hubert Wendell Thompson from Owens Chapel M.B. Church, Huntsville, AL. She attended West Madison Elementary School, Madison Middle School and graduated from Bob Jones High School Class of 1979.
Carolyn was a very conscientious and fun-loving individual with a tender heart towards her family and friends. When she was excited, the smile that graced her face and the twinkle in her eyes would capture the attention of all who were around her. She had many God-given talents, the first talent that brought joy and laughter to all was dance. She was a pure natural packet of rhythm and movement, earning her the name “Mosquito Tweeter.” She won many dance contests from a little girl all the way to adulthood. Carolyn also loved sports. Although she was small in stature, her energy and quick agility helped her earn the positions as point guard on the Bob Jones High School Ladies Patriots basketball team, and 2nd baseman and short stop on Joe’s Angels softball team. Other talents included hair braiding and weaving in her backyard salon, and gardening which she learned from her dad. Her vegetable gardens could have won 1st place blue ribbon. When she and her children relocated to Northern Virginia to live with her sister Theresa for several years, she become active in Christ Fellowship Church, Herndon, VA. There she immersed herself in Bible Study, learning God’s Word, and fellowship with the saints. She would always complete her Bible Study lessons a week ahead of time and each Wednesday she would start about mid-day getting the kids ready so that she would not be late. She later lived in Atlanta for several years embracing change in her life.
Professionally, Carolyn worked across many industries, reaching her stride working for a Black restaurateur franchise owner of the Atlanta Bread Company. Not only did she become a top performing employee but a well-respected individual by her employer and customers.
She was joined in matrimony to Ed Smartt and to this union two incredible children were born, Summer Nichole and Jeremy Laquence. Carolyn loved God, she loved life, she loved her children, and she loved gathering together with her family. Later in life, a very special man, Henry Grisham, became her companion and friend who was faithful in spending time with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents Juanita and Ollie Jackson, her husband Ed Smartt, sisters, Patricia “Toot” Jackson, Ruth Jackson, Earline Keith, and Ollie Mae Rice; brothers Ollie Lee Jackson Jr. (a.k.a. Bo-Dick), and brother Carl Allen Seay.
She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy of love, a daughter, Summer Jackson (Brent), and son, Jeremy Smart (Satonya). She loved her four grandchildren, and each had a special place in her heart, MaKenzie Jackson, Skyler Clark, Brenlee Clark and Jeshawn Smartt. Her siblings, Johnny Lee Jackson, Annettia Muhammad (Min. Hasty), Deacon Roy Seay (Glenda), Mamie Jackson, Clara Seay, Min. Theresa Jackson (Pastor Joe), Deacon Napoleon Jackson (Amy), Althea Jackson, and Calvin Jackson (Sharon). Her in-laws, Gloria Flecther, Florence Love (Robert), Mary Gibson, Johnny Smartt, and Grant Smartt (Tanya). Also, countless memories will be cherished by her nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
“Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
—Psalm 55:6
Funeral service will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church (198 Browns Ferry Rd, Madison, AL 35758) with Pastor Reginald Johnson officiating. Interment will be in the Meadowlawn Garden of Peace. Mrs. Smartt will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
Public viewing will be held from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2024 and 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Royal Funeral Home.
