Jo Carol Smith

Jo Carol Smith, age 65, of Murray, KY, passed away at 3:26 p.m. Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, KY. 

Her wishes were to be cremated with Entombment of her urn within her mother’s mausoleum located at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Celebration of Life services will take place at a future date.

Jo Carol was born on March 5, 1955, the daughter of Nancy Ann (McCarty) Hodack. She married Douglas S. Smith on July 18, 1986 in Grace United Methodist Church of Newburgh, New York; and he survives.

She worked many years for Verizon in New York, and held several job titles, from Switch Person to Order Clerk. While working full-time, Jo Carol continued her education, earning a Bachelor's Degree in History from Marist College in New York, then several years later, she earned a Law Degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Law.

She greatly enjoyed touring the country with her husband on their motorcycle, traveling, shopping, and spending time with her mother and her cousins.

Surviving is her loving husband of 34 years Douglas S. Smith of Murray, KY; several cousins, including Mary Blondi and husband Bobby of Benton, IL, Laura Weger of Urbana, IL, Sarah Williams of Benton, IL, Julia Furlong of Benton, IL, Holly McCord and husband David of West Frankfort, IL, Judy McCarty-Anderson and husband Craig of Dunnellon, FL, Kathryn McCarty-Schwab and husband Rich of Concord, CA, Michael McCarty and wife Terri of Orient, IL, Susan McCarty, wife of Rick McCarty (deceased) of Benton, IL; and their families. Also surviving are one aunt, Marjorie  McCarty of Logan, IL and a step-aunt, Rosemary Glidewell of Pekin, IL.

She was preceded in death by her mother Nancy Ann (McCarty) Hodack; three uncles: Mike McCarty, Ike McCarty, Joe McCarty; two aunts: Evelyn Weger and Martha Williams.  She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Roy and Pearl McCarty of Benton, IL and Josephine Conner of West Frankfort, IL.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jo Carol, may be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation P.O. Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715; or visit https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate

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