Carolyn Smith

Carolyn Eloise Smith, 89, of Massillon, Ohio, passed away on May 2, 2026. Born on November 15, 1936, Carolyn lived a life shaped by curiosity, creativity, faith, and a deep fascination with family history and connection. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Millard Smith, who passed away in 2003 after more than 30 years of service in the United States Navy, a commitment Carolyn proudly supported throughout their marriage.

Carolyn was the mother of six children: Valorie J. “Jeannie” Smith Bowman and her late husband, Rodger Bowman; Dody (Smith) Nahas and her husband, Tom Nahas; Kenneth Smith; Seth Smith; Amy Smith-Van Patten and her husband, Fred Van Patten; and Nancy Smith and her wife, Tammy Moore. She was also a grandmother to Meret Nahas Yarley, Rebekah Norton, Kayla Rodriguez, Paris Nahas Ruiz, Beau Smith, Kenny Smith, Shane Smith, Aaron Wingert, Jason Wingert; Stephen Bowman, and Ellison Moore Gutter, a great-grandmother to several great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandmother as well. Carolyn was also a mother-in-law to Lisa McEleney. Carolyn cared deeply about family and spent countless hours preserving its stories, photographs, and history for future generations.

Carolyn was truly one of a kind. Eccentric, independent, and always marching to the beat of her own drum, she maintained a youthful spirit, loved music, and enjoyed music from every generation, from her own all the way to today’s. She loved to sing and was rarely idle, always finding something to occupy her mind and hands — whether embroidery, knitting, researching genealogy, or working on one of her many historical projects. An accomplished genealogist, Carolyn created family trees not only for her own family but for many others, and she authored several books on the history of the New England area. She was also deeply involved in Faith Lutheran Church throughout the years, including creating a book documenting the church’s first 100 families, a project that brought together many of the things she loved most: history, faith, and preserving stories that mattered. Her love and commitment to God remained an important part of her life throughout the years. She leaves behind a lasting record of lives, printed memories, and connections that might otherwise have been forgotten.

Celebration of Life funeral services will be held in the chapel at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Massillon, Friday, May 15 at 2:30 PM.