DURHAM—Mrs. Carolyn Harper Smith, 71, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at her home. She was born June 21, 1942 in Franklin Co., to the late Robert Macklin Harper and the late Lottie Louise Murphy Harper. She grew up with her parents and her brother, Robert, in Youngsville.

She loved sports, especially basketball, and was an excellent student. She enjoyed the many events of the town, and was active in the Youngsville Young Woman’s Club. Sewing was one of her hobbies - she designed and made her own Centennial dress for the 1975 Youngsville celebration.

Carolyn was baptized in and a long-time active member of the Youngsville Baptist Church where she sang in the choir. She shared her Christian faith with husband Dan at Park View Baptist, Northgate Chapel, Ridgecrest Baptist and Mt. Bethel Presbyterian churches in Durham during her more than 36 years of marriage.

After high school graduation she attended Louisburg College, receiving an Associate Degree. She soon accepted a position with the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina where she was recognized as a positive and proficient employee. She worked for a Division Director and served as secretary of the state chapter of the professional organization, IAPES. She also participated in the State Employee’s Association of North Carolina.

Carolyn was promoted to Interviewer and transferred to the Durham Office. She worked with claimants and job seekers and helped improve the lives of many individuals. She met her future husband there also. She was a devoted wife and mother. Following her retirement July 1, 1992 she enjoyed home life and later returned as a part-time temporary employee in the Durham office.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband, Danny “Dan” Smith of Durham; daughter, Jennifer Michelle Smith of Timberlake; son, David Michael Smith of Durham; brother, Robert Harper of Thomasville; aunt, Doris Aycock of Louisburg; nephews, R. Dwayne Harper, Jr. of Trinity and S. Travis Harper of Laurinburg.

Funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday at Clements Funeral Chapel in Durham with the Rev. Ingram Hedgpeth officiating. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Clements Funeral Home.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral Service, Inc., in Durham, N.C. Online condolences may be made at www.clementsfuneralservice.com.

Paid Obituary