Carolyn Joyce (Armstrong) Smith passed away surrounded by family at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, in Columbus, Ind. at 10:56 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
She was born in Columbus, Ind. on Jan. 7, 1946 to Arthur and Winnie Armstrong. Carolyn grew up a hardworking child as she began working at the age of 9 and even taught a cooking class for the local Girls Club at 13 years old. She was also exceptionally bright; she scored the highest rank on her high school aptitude test, which was out of 475 students!
Carrying her hardworking attitude into adulthood, Carolyn worked and volunteered at a variety of professions including basketball coach, 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, church secretary, Bible study leader, Mary Kay saleswoman, Columbus Court secretary, selective service employee, and business owner of Columbus Signs and Coyote Creek Outfitters. Carolyn was also a tireless advocate for the unborn, co-founding Bartholomew County Right to Life, being on the board for the Brown and Bartholomew County Pregnancy Centers, and helping financially support the fight to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Above all else though, Carolyn was proud to be a wife, stay-at-home mom, and Nana. She took pride in her family and in caring for them. She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Mark Smith; her children, Chris (Kari) Powell, Matt (Holly) Powell, Nathan (Christy) Smith, Daniel (Chasity) Smith, Amanda (Larry Purlee) Smith, and Wyatt (Samantha) Smith; her grandchildren, Emma (Drake) Burton, Kora (Evan Valvano) Powell, Jacob Powell, Sarah (Matt) Verplank, Walker Powell, Hutch Powell, Lane Smith, Winnie Smith, Doc Smith, Cord Smith, Case Smith, Kodi Smith, Mykal Eddins, Charly Eddins, Sloan Eddins, Luke Smith, and Maggie Smith; her great grandchildren, Nash and Isla; and her two brothers, Steven (Connie) Armstrong and Mark (Michelle) Armstrong.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gregory Armstrong. In addition to being a mother, Carolyn was an animal lover, bird watcher and reviver, a cat vet, a “bleacher butt” (she went to every sporting event her children had), an amazing baker and chef, and a 70-year member of a Christian church.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Bartholomew County Right to Life and Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
