Caroline Smith

Survivors include a daughter, Robin Howrey and granddaughter, Cinna (Robert) Lewis all of Cedar Rapids.  Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Myrtle Caldwell; husband, Jerry R. Smith; brothers, Harold and Glenn Caldwell; sister, Geraldine Strand and son-in law Colin Howrey.

Caroline was born in Lafayette, Iowa on October 29, 1929.  Although she attended the Marion school system through her junior year, she graduated from Fulton, Illinois High School, and attended the University of Dubuque for two years. She met radio entertainer Jerry Smith, “The Country Gentleman”, in 1949 and they were married in April 1957.  She worked as office secretary to the manager of the All-Iowa Fair from 1954 through 1959.  She also worked with her husband, assisting him with developing his syndicated radio shows and personal appearances from 1950 until his death in 1986.  Caroline worked as a copywriter in Armstrong’s advertising department from 1970 through 1989.  During that time, she represented Armstrong’s on the Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau, serving as Chairman in 1977.  In 1989, Caroline and her family created Blue Skies Building Maintenance, Inc., providing service to rental properties throughout the area. Following the sale of this business in 1995, she worked as a temp. In 1998, she began work in the microfilm department of the United Fire Group, where she remained for 13 years, retiring in 2011.

Caroline was blessed with a close and caring family. She especially enjoyed the many years she spent with Robin and Cinna every Wednesday morning for their “Breakfast Wednesday”.  She also enjoyed the trips she took and the many books she read. Her interests grew over the years to include a variety of subjects from pre-history to the future.

Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army or the Community Health Center.