Carolyn Pat Smith

I am very heartbroken and am in my own little world. With a heavy heart, I want to share the passing of our beloved mother. Carolyn Pat Smith (Freeman) left this world to be with the Lord on the morning of August 18, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. She had local family by her side. Carolyn was a proud registered American Indian with the Cherokee Nation, born September 10, 1942, in St. Louis City, Missouri.

As I sat there, holding her hand, we played gospel music mixed with some 60’s in between, and I just spoke to her about her time on this planet. The stories I have heard over the past couple of years brought such incredible joy to hear them. Such fun stories, like when she was in the front row watching Elvis LIVE at a hay ride festival (before he become famous), how she was on American Band Stand dancing and got to meet the Rat Pack, and that she was a cheerleader in high school (yes, you read that right – high school book ordered). She was super spunky and always defended her brothers and was a straight “A” student, except she did get just one “F”, thanks to her brother, Norman.

Carolyn had a passion for horses, bingo, and being a cheerleader for the kickball games at her daycare.

Carolyn is survived by her seven children, Rebecca (Val) Hartung, Randall (Helen) Hartung, Kimberly (Andrew) Sapp, Carol (Jay) Durfey, Michael (Christine) Hartung, Tanya (Meck) Penley, and Suzanne Cote;

Twenty Grandchildren: Jennifer (James) Sawyer, Rebecca (Matthew) Day, Randall Parsons, Chrystal (Caleb) Towne, Sean (Melissa) Sapp, William (Adriene) Hartung, James Frye, Stacey (Charles) Leddy, Michael (Jenna) Hartung, Leah (Brian) Hoskins/Hartung, Sha’lin (Maurice) Burney, Tony Hartung, Kayla (John) Richardson, Kristina (Ollie) Oliveras, Charles (Tiffany) O’Neal, Seth (Megan) Penley, Emily Penley, Caleb Penley, Samantha (Anthony) Gannon, Carolyn Catrett; and three Siblings: Norman (Darlene) Freeman, Marilyn (Richard) Liston, and Norvelle Freeman and many beloved great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Carolyn is predeceased by her parents, William H. (1997) and Billie R. (McGhee) (2003) Freeman, her husband, Charles Smith (2004), and several other distant family members.