Carol Marjorie Lightner

Carol Marjorie (Smith) Lightner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 23, 1940. The youngest of three children of Edwin and Margaret Smith. She graduated from Saint Benedict Academy of Pittsburgh, PA in 1958. She married her husband Frederick Gail Lightner on the 27th day of June 1959. She was a devoted wife, caring for her husband through sickness and in health until his death in 1990.

Carol was a devout Catholic her entire life and devoted herself lovingly to her family. She and Fred brought eight children, 18 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren into the world. She worked tirelessly and always with a smile to help support her big family. Her laughter was contagious and she brought so much joy to everyone who knew her.

In her later years, her family has been spread out and she did not get to enjoy the closeness with all her grandchildren that her children experienced when they were young, however, she somehow still remained the glue that holds us all together. May all of us who exist simply because of her love, recognize this and honor her by keeping her legacy connected.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Edwin Smith and her husband Frederick Gail Lightner. She is survived by her brother Lester Smith, many nieces and nephews and all of her children and their spouses Daniel & Shelley Lightner, Donna & David Blake, James Lightner, Linda Griffith, Glenn & Stephanie Lightner, Joseph & Jana Lightner, Edwin Lightner & Mary Brooks Lightner and Jennifer & Pablo Sanchez. As well as her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Brandi & Thomas Schmit, Sandy Lightner, Theresa & Derek Saia, John & Molly Grisham Moore, Kyle Blake, Raymond (Thomas) & Elizabeth Griffith, Amanda & Tristan Mayers, Alex Lightner, Olivia Lightner, Mason Lightner, Luke Lightner, Nola, Joseph Paul Lightner, Savana Lightner, Delaney & Martin Kelly, Julie Lightner, Crispin & Aloma Sanchez, Nathan Sanchez, Lillian Sanchez, Raelen Moore, Aaron Schmidt, Addison Schmidt, Avery Gibson, Jaina Griffith, Melody Griffith, Harrison Griffith, Greyson Lee, Emery Mayers, Lucia Sanchez, Vivienne, Basil. Step-grandchildren: Rosa Sanchez, Kelcy, John, Jacob, Logan, Lelia (on the way), Jenna Marcella, John Marcella.

Carol prayed nightly for every one of us that were given the gift of life as a result of the union between her and her husband, Frederick. This amazing woman will surely enjoy all of the wonders of heaven and watch over all of us until we are united.

May she rest in joyous peace.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 11:30am at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery located at 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD 21032. The family will hold a Celebration of Carol's life directly following the service (1pm) at Hanleys Bar Harbor Marina, 208 Bar Harbor Road, Pasadena, MD 21122.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital in recognition of her love of children and life.