A celebration of life service for Carolyn B. (Rainbolt) Smith will be announced at a later date. There
will be no visitation.
Mrs. Smith, 87, of Bowling Green, died Monday (June 8, 2009) at her home.
She dedicated her life to music, teaching and missionary service to children and adults.
Her missionary work began as a college student when she and a friend ministered with her music to people
in the back woods of Kentucky. A few years later, she traveled to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (then
called Ceylon) and the Philippines. In the latter two countries, she broadcast programs for the Far East
Broadcasting company, supported by a combination of several evangelical churches.
She also served as a teacher for more than 14 years, teaching fifth grade and music at Pontiac School in
Fairview Heights, Ill., and later junior high at Millstadt and High Mount schools in Illinois.
While in India, Mrs. Smith developed a deep compassion for the people in the leper colonies she met
there, and began a making regular contributions to the American Leper Mission, which continued
throughout her life.
Her music began with her playing piano at age 5. She later learned to play trumpet, violin, guitar,
accordion, organ and other instruments.
A 1939 graduate of Collinsville Township (Ill.) High School, she attended Central Bible College in
Springfield, Ill., and later took courses at McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill., during the summers
while she was teaching. She earned her degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University.
Born May 4, 1922 in Marion, Ill., to James and Ruth (Schafer) Rainbolt, she married George Smith on Jan.
26, 1974, and he survives.
Also surviving are two sons, William Van Edward Robison, Bowling Green, and Ken Alan Robison, of Ithaca,
N.Y.; a stepson, Robert H. Smith, New Haven, Mo.; three brothers, Harry R., of Manhattan, Kan.; Robert
S., Fairview Heights, Ill.; and John P., St. John, Mo.; four grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and
11 stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, William and James H. Jr.; and two sisters, Mary Ruth Chamless
and Edith L. Hogan.
Memorials may be made to American Leprosy Mission, Greenville, S.C.
Dunn Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to at www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
