Carole Ely Henson Smith

Carole Ely Henson Smith (74), of Midland, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday September 5, 2012, of complications incident to a recent stroke. She was born December 18, 1937, in Mapleton, Illinois, to Benjamin C. Henson and Sylvia M. Ely, and was their 2nd daughter. Carole, the widow of Henry Ray Smith who died in 1983, had been living for the past eight months at the home of her daughter, Karen Andersen of Vernon, Utah. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She is survived by her sister, Florence Jester of McLean, Illinois.
Carole was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from the time of her baptism in 1952. She served in various callings in the Church and was well known in the Midland area for her involvement and enthusiasm for many years among the single adult members. She was an avid genealogist and spent countless hours compiling family history information. Carole also enjoyed spending time doing crossword puzzles, reading, traveling, bowling, and playing shuffleboard. After caring for her aging father for many years in Florida, she became a snowbird and traveled from Michigan to Florida for the cold winter months.
Carole met Henry Ray Smith while attending Brigham Young University. They were married on December 23, 1957 in Pekin, Illinois, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Being a mother and grandmother were her greatest satisfaction and joy. Carole and Ray had eight children: Diana (Joel) Giraud, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; Leland (Zola) Smith, Midland, Michigan; Karen (Douglas) Andersen, Vernon, Utah; Wesley Smith, Fairfax, Virginia; Sandra Wasden, Kensington, Maryland; Thaniel (Katherine) Smith, Pulaski, Virginia (currently residing in Kristianstad, Sweden); Nathan (Megan) Smith, Mooresville, North Carolina; and Ethan Ben (Akiko) Smith, Honolulu, Hawaii; 19 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Midland 2nd Ward (LDS) Chapel, 1700 Sugnet Ave, Midland, Michigan. Family and friends may call on Sunday evening, September 9, 2012 at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Chapel at 1200 West Wheeler, Midland, Michigan from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Monday morning at the Midland LDS Chapel from 9:30-10:30 prior to services. Interment will be in the Homer Township Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.serenicare.com/.