Carole Ann (Lee) Smith, age 83, of Nevada and formerly of Maxwell, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Rolling Green Village in Nevada.

Carole was born on January 17, 1943, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Carol Emery and Margaret Charlotte (McHone) Lee. She graduated from Maxwell High School in 1961. Carole continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa and transferred to Ellsworth Community College earning her associate degree in 1963. She later completed her bachelor’s degree in 1994 at William Penn.

On March 21, 1964, Carole was united in marriage to Garey Glende Smith in Cambridge, Iowa. Together they were blessed with three children: Todd, Eric, and Candace. Throughout her life, Carole held a variety of jobs, including working at McGregor’s Furniture, William Penn, JCPenney, and the Collins-Maxwell School, where she cooked for students. She also shared her talents from home by creating custom drapes.

Carole was a woman of deep faith and attended Baptist churches in Oskaloosa and Fairfax, Missouri. Most recently, she attended Heartland Baptist Church in Ames. She enjoyed supporting Garey throughout his coaching career at Grandview University and often attended basketball games by his side. Carole was a gifted baker and an accomplished seamstress, but her greatest joy was found in supporting her grandchildren in all of their many activities.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Todd Smith of Huxley, Eric Smith (Sarah Kane) of Godfrey, Illinois, and Candace (Josh) Ashman of Oskaloosa; her grandchildren, Brook and Cassandra Smith, Mia and Tia Ann Smith, and Maddux, Cael, and Harper Ashman; her brothers, Rev. Tom (Sue) Lee of Maxwell and John (Rosie) Lee of Maxwell; her sister, Mary Jo (Alan) Wilson of Maxwell and her special friend, Susan Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carol and Margaret Lee, and by her husband, Garey, in 2020.

Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Heartland Baptist Church in Ames. Family will greet friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The service will be livestreamed on the following link https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/carole-smith-funeral-service.  A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Interment will follow the luncheon at Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge.

Memorial donations are suggested to Grandview University Athletics.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with caring for Carole and her arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.