Carrie Sue Smith

Carrie Sue Smith, beloved mother, wife, sister, Ghee Ghee, Granny, educator, and friend went home to be with the Lord on March 3, 2022, in the Woodlands, Texas, after 84 wonderful years of life. Hers was a life well-lived and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Carrie was born Carrie Sue Kolb in 1937 in Hall Summit, Louisiana to her parents Tilmon Casey Kolb and Cliffie Marie Thomas Kolb. Carrie was the oldest of six children and was admired by her younger siblings. From a young age, she excelled in school and athletics. Carrie always understood the importance of education for herself and for others; she graduated first in her class from Castor High School and received a degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She completed additional college credit at Louisiana State University and Lamar University.

Carrie was married to her husband and travel buddy, Francis “Bo” Smith, for 60 years. Carrie’s passion for teaching prompted her to begin a long and rewarding career as a teacher at Helena Park Elementary in Nederland, Texas, where she taught 3rd grade. Amongst a litany of achievements and accolades, Carrie was named Teacher of the Year by the Port Arthur News in 2000. She retired from Helena Park Elementary in 2002 after 44 wonderful years and shaping an innumerable number of lives.

Carrie loved nothing more than to follow Jesus and lose herself in His word. She lived to praise the Lord, and never missed an opportunity for worship at Lakewood Church and her local Woodlands Church. She adored her family, particularly her daughter and her two grandchildren, who are devastated by the loss of their sweet Granny. She loved to travel and see the world; she found endless joy going on cruises with her husband Bo. Her wanderlust spirit led her all over the world. Together, Carrie and Bo went on over 40 cruises to Alaska, all through the Caribbean, across Europe, and beyond. She was an avid reader, had great style, and loved to laugh. She adored Elvis and her Yorkshire terrier, Tinki. She is missed deeply and profoundly by everyone who knew her.

Carrie is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, James Robert Shilling; her sister Nancy Ann Kolb; and her brothers Thomas Clinton Kolb, Donald Gene Kolb, and Gary Ronald Kolb. She is survived by her husband Francis Edward Smith; her sister Keitha Nannette Kolb Pinnix; her daughter, Marti Jo Shilling Woodby and son-in-law Thomas Michael Woodby; and grandchildren Thomas Grant Woodby and Hope Elizabeth Beck. In lieu of flowers, Carrie’s family requests that donations be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital*, in honor of her lifetime dedication to children.

A private family service was held to honor Carrie's life and memory.

*Donations may be made at www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-judge.html . Under donation amount, please be sure to check the box “dedicate my donation” in honor of “Carrie Sue Smith”.