Carol Jean Martin

Carol Jean Smith Martin began her earthly journey on March 17,1946 to Mr. Ray Edward and Norma Jean Smith (Bobo and Granny). She was born in Charlotte, NC but Salisbury, NC is where her heart and her home truly were.

Carol (mom) went to Boyden High School where she met a group of girls that would forever be a part of her life all the way to the end. To the “Beach Bunnies,” Bodie McCann, Jackie Burleson, Barbara Safrit, Betsy Miller, Betty Huneycutt, Loretta Ludwick, Lyn Hadden, Mary Roueche Rendleman, Montye Furr, and Vicki Boyd . . . thank you for being lifelong friends that gave mom adventures to look back on and look forward to, memories worth remembering and stories best left at the beach.

Carol also met William Christian Martin (Chris Martin) while at Boyden High School and they dated until mom went to Catawba College and Chris joined the Air Force. After college and after the Air Force, the two met again in Salisbury and dated until their marriage in 1969. Soon after, they moved to Cullowhee, NC where their daughter Ashley was born.

Carol’s career began at Southwestern Community College. She was a business instructor and taught everything from shorthand and typing to preparing others for interviews and job preparation. Since some of her students had never left Jackson County, she arranged a trip to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. She wanted to use the opportunity to teach independence, confidence to step out of your comfort zone, dress for success, and get a glimpse of what else is out there. As SCC grew and expanded and the business world changed, Carol went back to school and earned her Master’s in Business at Western Carolina University.

Upon retirement, Carol worked at Hollifield Jewelers part-time for several years. She loved the interaction with people and being surrounded by so much bling. She even saw a paycheck once in a while. If they had sold purses and shoes, she would have considered the job heaven-sent but she would have also been broke.

And to my mom . . . you worried about me being too sensitive but helped make it my strength, I was a challenge but you held your patience, you made sure I was safe but allowed me to make my own way, you gave me memories to build upon and lessons to help me grow. I am proud to be your daughter and because of you, I am going to be ok. Thank you and I love you!

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Norma Jean Smith, and her brother, Ray Lowell Smith.

Carol is survived by her brother Clayton Jay Smith (Dawn), daughter Ashley Martin Reece, and granddaughter Leigh Erin Reece.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home.

The care of Mrs. Martin has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.