Carolyn Heyroth

Carolyn Heyroth 89 of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025. She was born September 15, 1935 in Hornbeck, Louisiana to Eli and Arie Leach. She graduated from Hornbeck High School and continued her education at Louisiana Baptist College where she majored in Home Economics. She taught school for 30 years in San Angelo, Tx.; anything from Kindergarten through Junior High School. She loved every minute of her career in education.

Carolyn moved to Fort Smith and found a home with First Christian Church. She continued her love of teaching and found joy in teaching 4-6th grade Sunday school. In addition she would attend church camps and direct many Vacation Bible Schools. She also served on many boards and committees. If that weren’t enough to stay busy she found the time to volunteer for the Mercy Pastoral Care and Gift Shop.

Carolyn grew up in a Christian home that laid the expectation and importance of church worship and attendance. In Carolyn’s own words she stated; “I am today what my parents instilled in me. The character of parents who lived through the depression, marrying young, and having 6 children. My parents encouraged us to go to church, read our Bible, and never have an excuse to miss Church; even the rare occasion when it snowed in Louisiana.”

Carolyn’s family was most important to her. She loved family and they knew of her great love and faithfulness to them. Her greatest love was Jesus. She never failed to read her bible daily and shared devotional time with her closest friend Lena Cook. One of her favorite verses was Isaiah 40:8 “The grass wither’s, the flowers fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.”

She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Heyroth, parents, and four siblings. She is survived by her sister Naomi Thompson of Hamilton, Tx; two sons Billy Drackett of San Angelo, Tx, and John Drackett (Amye) of Fort Smith, Ar.; one granddaughter Erin House (Jeremy) of San Angelo, Tx; two grandsons Austin Drackett (Emily) and Peyton Drackett (Danielle); and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10:00am to 11:00am Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at First Christian Church, 3501 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR.

Funeral service will be immediately following the visitation at 11:00am in the Church Sanctuary.

Interment will be at Wenzel Family Cemetery in Hamilton, Tx Friday, March 7, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church