C. Virginia Smith

We remember Carolyn Virginia Smith, a wonderful wife, beloved mother, grandmother and sister who died August 3, 2023. Virginia was born on July 14, 1936 in Fairfield, Alabama to loving parents Edgar and Carolyn Pope Dunn. Named after her beautiful mother Carolyn, Virginia was only 7 years old when her mother died, leading her to be resilient, caring of others, brave and and devoted to her own and other children. Virginia and her younger sister Dorothy spent much of their childhood living with various relatives in Alabama and Texas until their father remarried and settled them in El Paso, Texas. Virginia went to Austin High School and enjoyed working at the local library and travel agency, where she learned to be a Dictaphone whiz.

Virginia met and married Carl Smith of Zanesville while he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. He came to the church youth dinner one Sunday night and she whupped him at foosball, ping pong and pool - he said he had no choice but to marry her after that! They moved to Zanesville after his discharge, and prior to starting their family, Virginia worked at American Business Forms and Mosaic Tile as a secretary. Virginia was a loving stay-at-home mother for their three children and an enthusiastic and prolific volunteer. She also was an avid bridge player, blessed to play with the same wonderful group of friends for over 50 years.

Sustained and moved by her faith, Virginia was a Sunday-School teacher and then Sunday-School superintendent at Forest Avenue Presbyterian Church, including district-wide work on behalf of the Presbytery. When her eldest daughter was old enough for Girl Scouts, Virginia began as a Brownie leader. After working her way through all the leader levels alongside her daughters, she was appointed President of Heart of Ohio Girl Scouts where she was awarded a Woman of Distinction. She received the first Aldine Roach Flegal Woman of Achievement award in Zanesville for this and other volunteer efforts. Later, she was an active participant and leader for many activities at Central Trinity United Methodist Church.

Upon becoming an empty-nester, Virginia worked as a secretary through a temporary agency. She was welcomed by businesses throughout Zanesville as she was dedicated, smart as heck, and could precision type "like the wind." And as Carl always said, she was "sweet as pie" and always his Princess.

Southern born and bred, Virginia never adapted to the Ohio winters and when after 40+ years Carl retired from Armco Steel Corporation they answered the call of the snowbird. Spending half of the year in Lake Suzy, FL gave Virginia the opportunity to live close to her beloved sister Dorothy and to pursue her hobbies including swimming, reading, genealogy, and golf. Virginia was also quite competitive at tennis, ping-pong and especially fierce at bumper boats! Virginia greatly enjoyed her time in Florida making new friends and volunteering as a Stephen Minister, but she also relished her summers in Ohio reconnecting with her friends and volunteering opportunities there.

During the last 12 years of her life, Virginia endured Alzheimer's Disease with grace and strength. She and Carl moved to Denver, CO to be closer to their daughters. Virginia enjoyed activities and outings at her senior residence and with her family, and later doing puzzles and reading out loud every word in the newspaper and People magazine - this was an unusual "superpower" and her kids expected the movie folks to come to call for the next film! She always knew "we were hers" and she never stopped showering those around her - other residents, staff and her family - with daily happiness and love.

Virginia is pre-deceased by her husband Carl, and survived by her children Sandra Smith, Diana Dietvorst (Jim Dietvorst) and Craig Smith (Amy Smith) and her four grandchildren: Anneke Dietvorst, Carsten Dietvorst (Lilly Halboth), Autumn Smith and Savannah Smith, and her sister Dorothy Sevigny. Her family is grateful for the care of her and Carl by Brookdale Parkplace staff.

Virginia will join Carl at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Girl Scouts of Heartland Ohio, Central Trinity United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.

BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville has been entrusted with all local arrangements.

To send a note of condolence: visit www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com , follow us on Facebook or call our professional staff at 740-452-4551