Carrol S. Smith, age 85 of Higginsville, Missouri, passed away, Sunday, September 1, 2024, at John Knox Village, Higginsville, Missouri.
Carrol was born on November 2, 1938, to Cecil D. Ryles and Margaret E. (Hart) Ryles. She was the second daughter born in a family of eleven children. She shared an early childhood memory of riding in the back of a horse drawn wagon with her brothers as her dad drove the team when the family traveled back from Tahlequah, Oklahoma to settle in Henry County Missouri. She spent her young years learning how to help do laundry and household duties and care for her siblings while both parents worked. She became a second mother to them in their growing up years, quitting high school at the age of 16 to do so. Her parents were both working hard to provide for the large family and made their home in the rural part of the county, moving several times during her school years.
During her freshman year, her brother Bill introduced her to a young man who had taken a fancy to her. She met James (Jim) G. Smith, and they began dating and fell in love. He had enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating in the spring of 1953 and later proposed marriage. Shortly after her 18th birthday Carrol became a Navy bride. The couple was wed at the Deepwater Baptist Church on November 21, 1954, with family and friends in attendance. Three children were born of this union, Teresa, James Jr. and Karen.
Carrol stayed with family members, while Jim was away at sea for months at a time. In 1957, with 2-year-old Teresa in tow, she took the long train journey out to San Diego, California to live on base for a time. Sometime after, “Little Jimmy” was born in January 1958 and their little family moved to Kansas City, MO. In 1962, after Jim started working for KCPL, they bought a new home in Independence, Missouri. While at that location Carrol gave birth to Karen in 1964. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a good homemaker and an excellent cook and baker. She enjoyed having family over for meals, game nights and just visiting. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends to various locations and events, including fishing and camping in their camper. She was determined to finish high school and achieve her GED which she did. She made her mind up and got her license to drive and loved to get out with the children and go see friends and family while Jim was working shift work for Power and Light or on his annual 2-week Naval Reserve cruise. In fact, she often provided transportation to friends and family members for medical visits and other needs throughout the years. She volunteered as a room mother for school parties, as assistant leader for 4-H, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and supported her family during various other activities. In May 1974, a new chapter began as they moved back to Clinton and built a new home up the road from Jim’s folks. Carrol then helped care for her in-laws and for her own parents until their deaths. She enjoyed many years with Jim as ‘empty nesters” and in 2008 they relocated to senior living at Higginsville and spent the remainder of their lives there.
Carrol accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age. She tried living her life in respecting the Lord’s teaching. She instructed her children and grandchildren to do likewise by serving and loving others, with a caring attitude. Carrol did her best to be a good listener and supporter. She served as a member of several Baptist churches throughout her life and served Women’s Mission Union early on. Most recently she was a member at Higginsville First Baptist Church. She prayed faithfully for her loved ones. It brought her great joy to see her own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren receive Jesus as their Lord and savior and be baptized. She enjoyed listening to gospel music and Biblical programs regularly. She loved helping everyone, spending time with family and giving gifts as often as she felt led - No special occasion required. Throughout her life, she experienced many of life’s joys, triumphs, challenges, heartaches and difficulties. She faced them humbly and bravely and kept on going until Jesus called her home to be with Him.
Carrol is preceded in death by her husband James G. Smith, Sr., son James G. Smith, Jr., her in-laws Clarence E. and Mae V. Smith, her parents Cecil and Margaret Ryles, and siblings (infants: Shirley Ann, Cecil Theodore, and Sharon Fay Ryles Ryles) adult siblings: Donald Ryles, Bill Ryles, Judy Fetters, Sandra Dulaban, and Basil Ryles, as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Survivors include her daughters: Teresa Pryor of Warrensburg MO, and Karen (Dean) Webber, Clinton MO, sister: Barbara Cutler, Osceola MO, brother: Rick Ryles, Clinton, grandchildren: Joe (Hope) Terry, Benjamin Terry, John Morrison, Lacie (Doug) James, Amanda (Matt) Tenholder, great grandchildren: Ryles, Adrian, and Jude Terry, Alexander James, Madysen Faulkenberry, Allison and Macey Tenholder as well as a host of other family and friends.
Memorial services were held September 6,2024 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Rev. David Mills officiating. Special music included “Peace In the Valley and One Day At a Time.” Inurnment will be in Park Grove Cemetery, Lowry City, MO at a later date.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
