Carolyn Cooley Smith

One of God’s true angels has been called home. Carolyn was born in Norman, Oklahoma, May 18, 1926, the second daughter of Dr. Ben Hunter Cooley and Catherine Herrington Cooley. She attended Norman High School graduating in 1944 and then went on to complete a B.S. degree in Home Economics from the University of Oklahoma in 1948. She joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority at O.U. and was recognized as a “Pi Phi” girl.

Carolyn married her high school sweetheart, Earle John “Bud” Smith, in Norman on June 15, 1947. Their courtship had been interrupted for two years when “Buddy” left to serve in the Army in WWII. Bud was a go-getter while Carolyn had a calm, measured peace about her. He jokingly nick-named her Lightnin‘ since she moved much slower than him or anyone else by comparison. Bud passed away January 18, 1997, just a few months before they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

After the birth of their son Scott in 1948, they left Oklahoma for Aurora, Colorado. Over the next several years, their young, growing family lived briefly in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Overland Park, Kansas, before settling into what would become the family home in Lakewood, Colorado, in 1956. By this time, they had four children and Carolyn was a busy home-maker. In 1965, the family was also blessed with their fifth child, Ben. Even amongst the many challenges of being a Mom, home-maker, and contending with her lively husband Bud, she still exuded a sweetness in her presence and filled their home with light. Whenever Bud would make an off-color remark in front of the kids, her comment of “Oh Buddy” was enough to put him back in line, at least for the moment.

Family vacations were often fishing and camping trips in the Colorado mountains, where Carolyn was fond of collecting rocks that she used to grace the landscape at home. As the children grew older, she also worked briefly in pre-school education and in 1973 enrolled in additional courses needed to qualify as a Director in a child care center.

In 1977, the Smiths moved to a country home in Parker, Colorado. Carolyn, who had been an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood, now became a mainstay at the fledging new parish of St. Matthew’s in Parker, where she was beloved by many. In 1991, Bud and Carolyn moved to nearby Castle Rock, but she continued to attend St. Matthew’s, where her loyalty even earned her a reserved, marked parking place at the church.

After her husband’s passing in 1997, Carolyn began working at her daughter Caroline’s ”family” business, Natural Balance, in customer service. She was known affectionately as ”Mrs. Smith” and was accorded all the respect due her unofficial status as Matriarch of that working family. When the company was sold in 2004, Carolyn eased more fully into her retirement, enjoying her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family celebrated her 80th birthday in 2006 with a large gathering in Castle Rock, Colorado. She lived independently until she fell and broke a hip in 2015. At that time, Carolyn moved into a cozy assisted living home in Centennial, Colorado, called Master’s Touch, where she lived until her passing in 2022. She was beloved by staff and other residents who were touched by her loving kindness and gentle strength. An occasional quick quip would reveal in a flash her bright humor and bring smiles to all. One of her favorite hobbies of these later years was collecting Beanie Babies, enjoying them with a bright smile.

Carolyn is survived by her five children Scott H. Smith, Caroline S. Owens, Melinda and Dr. John Middleton (husband), Steve and Leota Smith (wife), Ben Smith and Julie Johnson (wife).

She also leaves 13 grandchildren: Jason Smith, Adam Smith, Molly Harris, Jonathon (John) Smith, Kayla Smith, Marcus Owens, Meagan Owens, Portia Owens Hunsader, Anne Middleton, David Middleton, Dr. Julia Middleton, Tisa Smith, and Wensdae Smith.

Continuing her legacy are also 12 great grandchildren with more on the way!

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband Earle (Bud), older sister Kay Green and son-in-law Mark Owens.

The Committal/Burial Service is scheduled at Crown Hill Cemetery on May 5 at 1:00pm (7777 West 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, 303-233-4611).

That will be followed by a Memorial Service and Celebration of Life at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Parker, CO on May 6 at 1:30pm. Reception follows the church service. (19580 Pilgrims Pl, Parker, CO 80138).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Parker, CO. https://www.smecp.org/giving.