Carolyn Smith

Carolyn Smith - Wife, mother, adventurer. On Friday, September 20, 2024, Carolyn Smith of Bel Aire Kansas passed away. Carolyn Smith was born July 7th, 1931, in Wichita Kansas to Dale and Ted Combs. She grew up near 13th and Hillside in Wichita, a few blocks away from a young boy named Harold Smith, who would later in life become her husband. She earned a degree from Southwestern College in Winfield and later a Master’s degree in counseling from Wichita State University. She was always active in her community and church. She served on the board of trustees at Fairmount United Church of Christ for many years and led the church through many challenges. She helped lead the Seniors Group in Bel Aire where she and Harold lived for years, only stepping down from that position for health reasons. She proudly served as a mayor's wife during Harold’s several terms as Bel Aire’s mayor. She loved to garden, was devoted to her family and owned a dog nearly her whole life, ones that were often strays or otherwise lost. She also had a family counseling practice, where she helped many people who later became lifelong friends. She led a life in tune with mid twentieth century society and expectations. But Carolyn also had an adventurous side. She always drove sporty cars. Owning a convertible during college, then at various times driving a Mustang, a Camaro, a Jeep CJ and her last car a two-seater Mazda Miata when she was in her 80s. She loved to travel and took trips coast to coast with Harold and a dog in her lap. She was always planning on where to go next. But for her, the real adventure began when her brother Jerry Combs brought back tales of his family's adventures in the canyonlands of southwestern Utah. She made her first trip to Utah when she was in her 60s, riding in an old Jeep her son had bought for his own trips to Utah a few years previously. In Utah, Carolyn seemed to find everything she was looking for, a beautiful stillness, adventure away from crowds, an intense heat which she never minded and the opportunity to be with family and explore new trails every day. Utah became her happy place. So the first thing she did upon returning home was buy a 1975 Jeep CJ5, so she could experience driving the off road trails herself. She drove that Jeep from Wichita to Utah every year for nearly 15 years, never once tiring of the adventure. Carolyn will be remembered for many things, devoted wife, mother, community leader, dog lover and helper of families in need but above all she was at heart an adventurer, and her spirit of adventure lives on in everyone she touched. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Ted Combs, her brother Jerry Combs, and her husband Harold Smith. She is survived by her sons, Mike (Teresa) and Matt (Teri); grandchildren, Cameron (Megan) and Delaney (Matthew); great-grandchildren, Adrienne, Evelyn and Benjamin. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Thursday, September 26th, 2024, at Downing and Lahey East Mortuary. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Friday, September 27th, 2024, at Lerado Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, www.suwa.org mailing address: 425 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111.