Carolyn (Rae) Earley Smith of Columbia, MO, beloved wife, mother, and "Nana," passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 13, 2026. Born in Clarksville, TX, on June 19, 1943—a date she celebrated proudly as Juneteenth—Carolyn was the daughter of the late Charles and Ethyleene Earley.

Carolyn's life was defined by a chance encounter at a church revival at First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  A game of musical chairs brought her to sit next to Dennis Smith, sparking a lifelong love affair and a beautiful marriage of 61 years.

An avid learner and academic, Carolyn graduated from Thomas Edison High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Baptist University in 1965 with a double major in History and English. She earned her master's degree at Southwest Missouri State University.  She dedicated 30 years to the classroom, serving as an English teacher and a tireless advocate for her students. Her career spanned schools in Shreveport, LA, followed by 17 years at Central High School and 3 years at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, MO. She concluded her distinguished career at Hickman High School in Columbia, retiring in 1999.

Carolyn will be remembered for her remarkable strength, patience, and unwavering devotion. As a mother, she had a steady voice of wisdom and support as well as a constant source of motivation for her children.  As a woman of strong faith, she, together with Dennis, sought to encourage this faith journey with each of their children through church involvement and home life.  As a "Nana," her grandchildren were her proudest joys. Carolyn further demonstrated her love of family with her extensive family genealogy work.  She followed the lives of her Scottish and English ancestors from their arrival in Virginia to their deep roots in Texas.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Dennis; her three children, Nathan (Angela) Smith, David (Kim) Smith, and Natalie (Brendan)Smith Kenny; and her nine grandchildren: Emerson Smith, Madison Rae Smith, Zachary Smith, Charlie Kate Smith, Otto Smith, Reese Smith, Lochlan Kenny, Declan Kenny, and Quinlan Rae Kenny. She is also survived by her two brothers, Larry (Marilyn) Earley, and Brent Earley; and her nephew, Jeff (Alejandra) Earley.

Carolyn's legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched in the classroom and the family she loved so deeply.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri, with funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Scott Watson will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org .