Carol was born in Turlock, CA and was celebrated as the first baby born in Turlock in 1941. She grew up on her family's grain ranch near Montpellier, CA just east of Turlock, where she enjoyed life as a true country girl. Her love of her pets, especially her many kitties, began in those early years and continued throughout her life. She attended school from first through twelfth grade in Denair, CA school district where her love of reading and learning made her choice to attend college at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, an easy decision. Carol's major studies were in elementary education, and she was able to do her required student teaching activities on a six-month stay in Torreon, Mexico. She graduated in 1962 with a degree in elementary education, a profession she pursued throughout her working career.

Carol began her working life as a fifth-grade elementary school teacher in Gilroy, CA, starting two months after graduation from the University of the Pacific. After two years of teaching, she earned a school library credential from San Jose State University and worked one year as a first-grade teacher in the Stilwell School on Fort Ord Army Base near Monterey, CA. In 1966 she was rehired by the Gilroy School District as a junior high librarian at Brownell Junior High School. Carol eventually worked as a librarian at both Brownell and South Valley Junior High Schools, spent five years as librarian at her old Denair High School and completed her career as Gilroy High School librarian for fifteen years, retiring in 2003.

In 1972 Carol was joined in marriage with her husband, Hugh Smith, and they spent the next fifty-three years enjoying life in Gilroy and travelling as much as possible, including many trips to Japan, their favorite destination.

Carol enjoyed being a member of the Gilroy branch of the American Association of University Women, AAUW. Was active in the lady's book group Freely Received, Freely Given, FRFG and was instrumental in helping with the acquisition of Gilroy's public library where she participated in the Friends of the Library group.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Marian Dinkelman. She is survived by her husband Hugh Smith; sister, Jean Evensen; two nieces, Anna (Jonathan) Retzlaff and Sarah Evensen; one nephew, Hans Evensen; and one brother, Bill Dinkelman.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in her name would be appreciated.