Carol Ann Smith

How do you convey all the love for your mom in words? Simply, try… Here is my best shot for you, Mom. There is so much more, but as mom said, “I love you. I love you. I love you. I love everybody…” Carol Ann Randolph Smith passed over to heaven surrounded by the love of her family at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH the late afternoon of September 29, 2026.

Carol was born July 25, 1944 in Dayton, Ohio where she had a glorious childhood sharing time with her best friend, Elaine Reynolds. She was born to Robert Randolph and Lillie England Randolph. She grew up in Kettering, Ohio with her loving family where her father was a carpenter and contractor, and her mom spent time just loving and raising her beautiful children. Carol is predeceased by her parents, brother, Thurman (Buddy) and sister, Nancy (Sue). Her family gave her the foundation for love, tenacity, and perseverance. It was Elaine who introduced Carol to the love of her life, Richard who passed away in August. They were married in 1963 after an episode with Elephants and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Carol was loving, motivated, dedicated and had a wonderful collection of many friends. She celebrated life, living it to the fullest to travel around the world, cross the international dateline, visiting every state in the US and sharing her love with us. “I love you. I love you. I love you.” She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, and friend. She went out of her way to support others who did not have enough and, also, contributed to many charitable causes. She graduated from Fairmont HS to go on to achieve and attend numerous higher education institutions, including Allan Hancock JC, Golden Gate University, La Verne University and John Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering where she earned her master’s degree in Systems Engineering magna cum laude in 2001 just before her favorite grandson was born.

Mom was dedicated to Richard and their love was a once in a lifetime soulmate connection. No question, this love was meant to be. The stars aligned in the sky, the moon shone bright, and they shared a love that was blessed. They would travel the world together and when apart nothing could keep them from getting back whether train, plane, motorcycle, or automobile was required. Mom and Dad experienced it all, learned and grew as one. They loved taking classes together as each brought a different perspective to make them see life more completely. Mom and Dad loved and cherished our family. They taught us ‘Family first’ leading by example. They were the ones that reached out to cousins, aunts, uncles, and everyone to make sure our family tapestry was whole, beautiful, and woven tightly to create an incredible life. Mom supported us all as we enjoyed a life filled with simple pleasures, adventure, travels, and learning, while she raised two children: Susan, and Rick.

Mom was a maverick, a free spirit, a female leader who sat at the table with Generals in a time when that just did not occur. She was an accomplished female ahead of her time. She was courageous and worldly, and cherished each day. She worked on Black Hawk and Sikorski Helicopter projects, developed the idea for drone use in her thesis at John Hopkins before it was a thing, and never settled. She worked as Program Control Manager for Boeing on the National Missile Defense Program and Satellite programs, then as a Senior Systems Engineer at Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA. Carol was well educated, loved to read, and belonged to the ladies reading group in Sky Meadows Association. She loved life experiences, enjoyed sharing laughter, and a good meal with loved ones. She, also, was an irreplaceable member of the board for Armaga Springs for years supporting the community, Mom created and celebrated love and life with her family and those who knew her. She is already missed.

Carol has now joined her loving husband, Richard, her parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, many friends, and loved ones in heaven, where she was joyfully greeted and welcomed. Her legacy lives on through the family she loved, her dedication to living a full and wonderful life, and strong passion for growth and learning. She will be remembered by the countless lives she touched with her loving heart, inspired mind, listening ear, and sweet, gentle, caring conversations; the best hugs ever; her beautiful smile, and sky blue eyes! We celebrate our inspiring mom, a model of love, who guided us with tender caring love, and affection.

Carol’s greatest joys were her family. She was always willing to answer the call, facetime, and get together for lunch or cup of coffee. She traveled to meet up with family in Spain, Italy, France, and took us to so many places from Japan to Hawaii to Belize. Members of her family include her daughter, Susan Connelly; son, Rick Smith, and his wife, Renee Magana; and grandson, Isaac Connelly. Mom and Dad are traveling on their Moon River now, she and her Huckleberry friend. No more waiting round the bend, Momma. We love you to the moon and back, forever.

Service for Carol will be held on October 12, 2026 at 11 am at the Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery following the service. All are invited to join our family to celebrate the life of Carol.

Flowers may be sent to her service at Tobias Funeral Home listed above or she would encourage you to make time for a loved one or disabled family member or veteran. Spending time with loved ones is as valuable or more so. Charitable donations can be made to a Veteran’s organization of your choice or the Merrimack Community Hospice House (Gardens) 210 Naticook Rd, Merrimack, NH 03054 in her name. https://hhhc.org