May 5, 1935 – October 21, 2023
Having been born and raised as a small-town girl in West Virginia in the 1930’s and 40’s, Marjorie Carolyn Smith never imagined she would become a world-traveler, or during her 88 years meet numerous celebrities and world figures, including Muhammed Ali, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan, Yasser Arafat, Ted Turner and many others. Carolyn, as she was known, spent time in numerous countries around the globe befriending every-day people from all walks of life. She worked alongside her husband, David Wayne Smith, to foster understanding and peace between different cultures. Wherever Carolyn lived, whether in Brazil, Atlanta, Russia or Ojai, she always sought ways to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Carolyn’s was an extraordinary, unexpected, wondrous life. She treated everyone the same, with her gracious warmth, loving-kindness and acceptance. But of all her life moments, Carolyn cared most about being a wife, mother, sister, daughter, a church choir alto, and friend and comforter to all those who needed love and the gentle touch of her kind soul. It is these deeply nurturing attributes for which she is best known and remembered.
Carolyn was born May 5th, 1935, in the small mountain town of Richwood, WV, the eldest of five children of Franklin McClung Heaster and Mary Elizabeth Matthews Heaster. Carolyn attended South Charleston High School in WV, where she met Wayne Smith, a fellow trumpeter in the school band. Wayne, age 19, and Carolyn, who was 18, married in 1953 and began raising a family – Carolyn taking care of the home and kids as Wayne completed college and then Presbyterian seminary.
In 1963, Wayne and Carolyn became Presbyterian missionaries and, with their four children, set sail for Brazil where they lived for the next seven years. This was to be the first leg in their life-long journey of adventure. While in Brazil, Carolyn learned to speak fluent Portuguese, raised the family, and performed endless missionary works for Brazilians and the international community. She retained her fluency in Portuguese throughout her life.
When it was time to move back home, the family settled in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Wayne was named community minister of North Avenue Presbyterian in 1970, and later senior pastor at Decatur Presbyterian in 1977. Carolyn was the quintessential minister’s wife, hosting church prayer groups, receptions, bake and craft sales, and all the other duties required of that role. She was exceptional at everything she did, always smiling, warm, and making everyone feel important and cared for. At the same time, she was a full-time homemaker and mom to their three boys and daughter. She loved to decorate, quilt, sew, bake and sing. It was hard work, the days were long, yet Carolyn was a woman of God and grace throughout.
Carolyn’s scope increased dramatically when Wayne founded Friendship Force International, with the full-on collaboration of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, in 1977. For the next 23 years, under Wayne’s leadership and Carolyn’s steadfast support, this cultural-exchange non-profit blossomed around the globe, promoting friendship with the motto “A World of Friends is a World of Peace.”
In 1983, Carolyn and Wayne moved to Big Canoe, Georgia. Carolyn loved to sing in the Big Canoe Chapel choir. Her alto voice was lovely, and she had a masterful ear for harmonies. This was a skill and talent she forever cherished. She sang in every choir, in every church she ever attended. She enjoyed quilting and participating in Big Canoe’s architectural compliance committee.
Wayne and Carolyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003, and shortly after, in 2004, Wayne passed away. Over the ensuing ten years, Carolyn lived in Tate, Georgia, remained in the Big Canoe Chapel, and drove herself to choir practices and performances, even when it snowed. She continued her legacy of loving and praying for her family, friends, neighbors, church members, and everyone who needed special love and attention. She was truly selfless.
In 2013, Carolyn embarked on a big move to Ojai, California, to be near her daughter, Suzy Bennitt and Suzy’s husband, Bob. Naturally, she became a member of the Ojai Presbyterian Church choir, singing her gorgeous alto. It was a wonderful time for her, a period when she could indulge in her favorite things, most notably reading with her cat Sammy on her lap, caring and praying for others, hosting and cooking for her family and friends, and keeping up with world events. She gratefully referred to the Ojai Valley as the “Balm of Gilead.”
As time passed, Carolyn began to have health issues, and in 2022 she moved into the Gables of Ojai. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at home on October 21, 2023. She is now in that “soft place” which she called Heaven.
Carolyn was selfless, supportive, warmhearted, generous of spirit, loving. She met everyone with a smile and an easy laugh. She was the embodiment of what was most important to her – to be God’s love and light shining in the world. She is survived by her sister, Sally Waters; her four children, David Smith, Steve Smith, Andy Smith, Suzy Bennitt and son-in-law Bob Bennitt; her six grandchildren, James, Jessica, Nicola, Lukas, Anna and Abbie; great grandson Noah; brother-in-law Jim Smith and sister-in-law Mary Heaster.
Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, Franklin McClung Heaster and Mary Matthews Heaster; siblings, Jim Heaster, Judy Heaster Vallandingham and Jon Heaster. Many beloved family pets passed over the rainbow bridge before Carolyn. She was looking forward to reuniting with everyone in Heaven, including her animal friends.
A memorial service will be held at Ojai Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ojai Presbyterian Church at ojaipc.org/give to support their community and international assistance work.