Carol Ann Smith

Carol Smith (Brough) passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of September 18 th , 2020 at her home in Ridgecrest California.  Carol was born on September 9 th , 1957 in San Diego, CA to Charles Alvin Brough and Winifred Wheaton.  As she grew up, her family lived in many places across the United States while her father supported first the development of ICBM missile sites and then the space program, before settling outside Carlisle, PA.

Carol moved to California in her teens where she completed High School in Whittier, CA.  She then attended the University of California in Santa Barbara where she received a Bachelors Degree in Biology.  Living in Brea, CA at the time, Carol met her future husband, Jerry Smith during the summer of 1987 and they married the following year on the 7 th of May, 1988.  After their honeymoon in Banff, Ontario, Canada, the Smiths established their home in Ridgecrest, CA where Jerry was employed as an electrical engineer.  Carol worked a number of temporary jobs as a bookkeeper before being hired as a drafting technician by a local defense contractor.  Over the next several years, Carol would eventually become a database designer and maintainer in support of weapons programs at the Naval Air Warfare Center.  She chose to put her career on hold to raise the Smith's first and only child, their son Nathan.  She would not resume work until Nathan graduated from high school.  She worked until resigning from federal civil service in 2019.

While raising Nathan, Carol was heavily involved in his school activities, sports leagues, and especially the Boy Scouts where she served as a Den Leader for Cub Scouts, Committee member for his Boy Scout Troop, and as a volunteer leader at the District level where she was a trainer and training coordinator.  Loving the outdoors, she also attended several week-long summer camps.  With her biology education and love of plants, Carol taught nature subjects on many Scout campouts.  Carol competed the BSA Wood Badge leadership program, served as program director for the Southern Sierra Council's National Youth Leadership Program, and was the recipient of the District Award of Merit.

Carol was a talented seamstress and quilter receiving awards for some of her quilts.  She particularly loved making costumes for Nathan for Halloween and other activities.  She hand made her wedding dress including the intricate lace and beadwork.  Her creations were often recognized for their intricacy and attention to detail.

Carol loved the outdoors and was always ready to go camping, hiking, and backpacking.  Her favorite place in the Sierras was the Little Lakes Trail out of Rock Creek.

Carol dearly loved animals.  She rescued 10 cats and dogs over the 32 years she was married to Jerry.  She was one of those people to whom animals were just naturally attracted.  All of her animals were spoiled rotten... a badge she proudly wore.

In October of 2018, Carol was diagnosed with a golf ball sized glioblastoma brain tumor, which was successfully removed in an eight-hour surgery.  She then underwent six weeks of intensive radiation with follow up chemotherapy.  She was able to return to work in just 4 months after surgery.  A new tumor was discovered in November of 2019 and surgically removed shortly thereafter.  She went through another six weeks of daily radiation and continued with monthly chemotherapy.  Tragically, a new tumor formed shortly thereafter in an area of the brain where surgery was not a viable option.  She underwent two more weeks of intensive radiation therapy, but in the end, it was not enough, and she passed away peacefully at home, early on the morning of September 18 th .

Carol is survived by her husband Jerald (Jerry) Smith of Ridgecrest, CA, her beloved son Nathan Smith of Ridgecrest, CA, her sister Lori (Brough) Glatz of Liverpool, PA, her brother Charles (Ike) Brough of Mount Holly Springs, PA and her brother Ronald (Mike) Brough of Huntsdale PA.  Her mother, Winifred Glaser, and her father, Charles Brough preceded her in death.

Carol was an incredible wife and mother.  Nathan and Jerry are left with a void in their lives that they gratefully fill with a life of loving memories and the assurance that she sits in the embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  A celebration of life for Carol will be held at a later date when our world has calmed down a little and we are able to gather in joy to remember and give thanks for Carol.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing to recognize/remember Carol are invited to contribute to Marley's Mutts, an animal rescue organization in Kern County she admired and followed (https://www.marleysmutts.org), or the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter (760) 499-5190 where she adopted all of her animals.

Submitted by Nathan and Jerry Smith