Obituary of Carole Elaine Smith

Carole E. (Russell) Smith, a resident of Bainbridge, NY and formerly of Amsterdam, NY and Wells, NY, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, March 9, 2020. She was born in Corning, NY on May 30, 1938 to Earl and Helen Russell. Carole and her 6 siblings were raised in Bainbridge. Throughout her school years, Carole participated in the music programs and was the first BCHS student to receive the John Phillip Sousa band award. After graduating in 1956, Carole went to visit a friend, Lois, in NYC, who took her to the Calvary Baptist Church where she heard and understood for the first time about God's unconditional love for her, how Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross, died and rose again to pay the price for her salvation so that she could have her sins forgiven. It was through the good work that Jesus did at Calvary, and not her own good works, that Carole was able to receive God's free gift of eternal life and become born again. Her life was transformed as she experienced 2 Corinthians 5:17, "if any may be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away and all things become new". From 1964-1967, Carole was a student at Philadelphia College of Bible as a Bible/Sociology major. Carole married Randy Smith in 1969. They lived in Wells for 24 years and together they led worship for the area chapter meetings of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International (FGBMFI) until Randy went home to be with the Lord in 1999. Carole was employed at the Hamilton County Office of Sunmount DDSO in Speculator, NY for 18 years until she retired in 2000. She then moved to Amsterdam and became secretary of her church, Jubilee Fellowship, pastored by Harlow and Jackie Gordon. In July 2016, Carole moved to Bainbridge to be reunited with her sister Shirley. Carole and Shirley enjoyed spending their days together after many years living apart. They worshipped together at the Bainbridge United Methodist Church and Carole enjoyed the friendship of the church family and neighbors in Bainbridge. Carole also looked forward to visits from extended family members. Carole was predeceased by her parents, husband, sister Beverly and brothers Philip and Arthur. She is survived by her sisters; Shirley Fletcher of Bainbridge, Katherine (and Elmer) Van Gorder of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Ruth (and Bob) Wilson of Seven Points, Texas, sister-in-law Betty Russell of Royersford, Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews. Carole's family would like to thank her sister Shirley for the loving care provided Carole during her recent declining health. The family would also like to thank the medical staff at the Chestnut Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oneonta, NY for their compassionate end-of-life care. The family would also like to thank Pastor Eda Dorosky from the Bainbridge United Methodist Church and the entire church community for their love and support. A memorial service celebrating Carole's life will be held at the United Methodist Church, 27 North Main Street, Bainbridge, NY on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bainbridge United Methodist Church, 27 North Main Street, Bainbridge, NY 13733. Carole will be laid to rest next to her husband Randy in the Algonquin Cemetery, Wells, NY, at a future date at the convenience of the family. Share condolences and memories online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.