Carolyn Sue Andrews

Carolyn Sue Andrews Smith, 76, of Columbia, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015, in her home. Her husband, Howard E. Smith, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2015, in Columbia. His full obituary will appear in tomorrow's paper. Carolyn was born in Boone County, Mo., on January 4, 1939, to George and Evalene Andrews. She was the eighth of nine children, all of whom she remained close to through the years. She married the love of her life, Howard Smith, on August 28, 1956. Carolyn was the loving mother to three children, loving grandmother to four and loving great-grandmother to one. Carolyn lived the majority of her life in Columbia, touching the lives of everyone with whom she came in contact. She worked for Columbia Public Schools for over 30 years, loving her work feeding the children of Two-Mile Prairie, Derby Ridge and Lange Schools. She also worked at ABC Laboratories, where everyone knew her as "Mom." Carolyn was also a proud graduate of University High School. Carolyn was an active member of the Sunrise Optimist Club for many years where she enjoyed being one of the Opti-Missus. She was also a devout member of Olivet Christian Church. Carolyn loved with all of her heart and was loved by many in return. Her legacy will live on through the lives of her children and grandchildren, the stories she told and the recipes she shared. Carolyn is survived by: her husband, Howard; her brothers, Frank (Kathy), Paul (Joanne) and Dale (Judith); her sister, Edith (Ralph, deceased); her children, Mary Ann Gruender (Joe), Steven Smith (Rhonda) and Linda Smith; her grandchildren, Robbie Hall (Shelli), Lisa Ward (AJ), Jason Gruender (Bridget) and Jessica Ketsenburg (Jonathan); and her great-granddaughter, Lydia Gruender. Carolyn was preceded in death by: her parents, George and Evalene Andrews; brothers, Senator (Betty, deceased), Charles (LuAnna) and Harold (Georgia); and her sister, Eva (Joe, deceased). Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, January 15, 2015, at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.