Carolyn Harvey Smith

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Carolyn Harvey Smith, 76, of Mulberry, FL. She was a bright spot in this world and will be deeply missed by many. Carolyn’s passing was an unexpected and devastating loss for her family and friends. She touched the lives of so many in their time of need as a mother, grandmother, spouse, and Nurse. Carolyn passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY on November 1st, 2021, from complications due to COVID 19. By her side, were her daughter, Stephanie Ann McDermott and her husband of 40 years, Edgar I. Smith Jr. She leaves behind her husband, daughter, and 10 grandchildren who knew her affectionately as “Mimi”. They include Wesley and Kaitlyn Chenovert; Laurel, Daniel, Luke, Jacob, Scotty, and Cody Smith; and Danielle and Luke Anderson. Carolyn was born on September 22, 1945, at Jacksonville Naval Air Station to Walter L. and Laura G. Harvey of Jacksonville. She grew up in Jacksonville and attended local public schools. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1963. In 1967 Carolyn relocated to Lakeland FL with her then husband. On June 9th 1967 she delivered a beautiful baby girl which they named Stephanie Ann Jenkins. During the ensuing years, Carolyn focused all her time and energy on being a housewife and mother to Stephanie. In 1979 Carolyn divorced and sought employment to support Stephanie and herself. She worked at Peoples Bank of Lakeland in the accounting dept over the next decade. A mutual friend “Barbra Lowrey” introduced Carolyn and Edgar in 1980 and they began dating. And the rest, as they say, was history because both had found their soul mate. Carolyn and Edgar were married on May 9, 1981, in Lakeland FL, thus began a romance that would last 40 years. Carolyn had always expressed a desire to be a Nurse but never had the time or resources to make this a realistic goal. Edgar supported Carolyn’s dream of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) and she graduated from Polk Community College in 1995. Upon graduation Carolyn began work at Lakeland Regional Medical Center (LRMC) as an RN on the Cardiac Intervention Unit (CIU). She retired as a charge RN on the CIU floor in 2019 after 24 years of service at LRMC. Edgar and Carolyn enjoyed traveling the world as a shared hobby. Cruising was one of their favorite activities. They visited many countries including Russia, Italy, Spain, France, England, Sweden, Germany, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and states including Hawaii, Alaska, California, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. Services will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 S Ingraham Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801, on Saturday January 15, 2022, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Heart Association. Please feel free to share pictures or memories on Carolyn’s tribute wall at Heath Funeral Chapel website.