Mrs. Carol Annette Smith was born on July 25, 1945, in Covel, West Virginia to the late Pearl F. Smith and Aretha M. Smith, of Princeton, West Virginia. At the tender age of 3, Carol and her family moved to Princeton, West Virginia, where she was raised. She attended Dunbar Elementary School, Princeton Jr. High School, and Princeton Senior High School. Upon graduation from Princeton Senior High School, Carol attended Bluefield State College in Bluefield, West Virginia, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in education in 1964. During her tenure at Bluefield State College, Carol joined the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, in which she frequently participated in community service and other educational efforts with her sorors. The mission of her sorority was important to her, and until she took her last breath, Carol was a true embodiment of a Delta woman. After receiving her bachelor's degree, she received her master's degree from Sonoma State College. Carol then began teaching students from first grade to the collegiate level. Not only was receiving an education important to Carol, but she truly believed in giving back to others, so she found much joy in teaching and counseling. Carol also worked as a middle school counselor in Rohnert Park, California, and then became a high school counselor at Rancho Cotate High School. Carol later retired from the school district, but the love she had for children, education, and helping others, never left her. Carol was dedicated to helping others, and that was reflected in all aspects of her life. While working as an educator was Carol's dream career, her purpose was being the matriarch of her family. In 1965, she wed her college sweetheart, Burvin Smith. From this union, they had one loving daughter, Andrea Marie Smith, affectionately known as Angie. Being a wife and mother brought Carol much joy, as she poured all of her love into her family and passed down all of her knowledge to her daughter and grandchildren. Carol was also a dog mom to Princess, her other baby. She owned Princess since she was a puppy, and would not go many places without her. Carol loved Princess much, she wanted to buy her dentures! Carol's love for her family and Princess proved how much and hard she loved. There was nothing Carol loved or was prouder of than her family, and there was nothing she would not do for them. Carol's family and friends will not only miss her warm smile, bubbly personality, intelligence, and heart of gold, but she will also be remembered for her love for traveling. Carol and Burvin could almost always be found traveling in their "BIG" RV, once they retired from their jobs. Carol did not drive the RV, but family and friends would all agree that she certainly delegated the trips! They often traveled from Florence to California, making many friends along the way. Along with traveling, Carol also loved wine tasting. She was a member of multiple wine and champagne clubs and had her own personal wine collection at home in many designated areas, including but not limited to the hallway, the kitchen, and the RV. Carol was known for hosting many social events, as she was the life of any party, and a social butterfly. During the times that she was not traveling or entertaining guests, Carol visited flea markets, enjoyed music, reading, walking, gardening, and getting in her shots of tequila and mimosas on Sundays. Carol danced to the beat of her own drum, and she certainly enjoyed life to the fullest. Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and Aretha Smith, her siblings, John Smith, Ronald Smith, Joyce Peek, and Bertha Smith, and her favorite dog, Princess. Left behind to cherish her precious memories are her husband, Burvin; her daughter, Andrea Smith; and her three grandchildren, Antowan, Rayandera, and Olivia, all of Rohnert Park, California. Carol also leaves behind her siblings, Mary Kelly of Flint, Michigan, Betty Smith of Newark, New Jersey, Hope Smith of Flint, Michigan, Hans Smith (Tywana) of Flint, Michigan, and Norma (John) of Phoenix, Arizona; Her godchildren, Damien Ballard of Santa Rosa, California, and Michelle Vann of Rohnert Park, California. arol is also survived by her aunts Maeoma Edwards and Lee Smith of Atlanta, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, loved ones and friends. Carol's family and friends will always love, cherish, and miss her, but the memories left behind will live on forever.