UPDATED ~ Obituary

Carol Smith Payne, of Monroe, LA, passed away on January 31, 2022, at the age of 76. Carol was born on December 31, 1945, in Monroe, LA to Sybil Edwards Smith and Zell Smith, Jr. After her 1963 graduation from White Station High School in Memphis, Carol attended Lambuth College as an education major. When Carol moved back to Monroe in 1970, she immediately immersed herself in the community. She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the Junior League of Monroe, the AZ Chapter of P.E.O, St. Paul’s United Methodist Women, Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, and a volunteer with the Wellspring, CASA, and YoungLife. An avid supporter of Neville High School, Carol served on the board of NAFA and enjoyed organizing the annual Top 20 Banquet.

Family was the most important thing to Carol, who many knew affectionately as “Mim”.  She filled her home with comforting meals and delightful company, creating an inviting place for her family to gather. A talented cook and seamstress, Mim loved sharing family recipes and sewing projects with her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to support her grandchildren – from athletic competitions to on-stage performances, she was always their biggest cheerleader. Her children and grandchildren were her life, and they thought the world of their Mim.

An adventurer at heart, Carol adored traveling and was constantly planning her next vacation. Several times each year, Carol scheduled trips with her out-of-state siblings and cousins.  She especially cherished the time she spent watching her son, Brian, play golf across the world. Carol loved visiting family in Baton Rouge – boiling crawfish by the pool, cheering on the LSU Tigers, and enjoying Brian’s cooking.

Carol’s supportive character, optimistic disposition, and kind nature touched everyone in her life. She was a beloved mother, a loyal sister, the best grandmother, and a person of incredible strength and fortitude – a rock for all privileged enough to know her. Carol will be remarkably missed, and her memory will always be a blessing.

Carol will be lovingly remembered by her children, Beth Bateman Lauve (Johnny) of Baton Rouge, LA, Ashley Bateman Burkett of Monroe, LA, and Brian Bateman (Dawn) of Baton Rouge, LA; her grandchildren, William Avera (Karla) of Baton Rouge, LA, Caroline Avera Curtis (Dalton) of Hendersonville, TN, Mary Frances and Thomas Avera of Baton Rouge, LA, Katherine, Camille, Ella Scott, Marshall and Benjamin Burkett of Monroe, LA, and Oliver Bateman of Baton Rouge, LA; her great-grandchildren Nolan and Marshall Avera of Baton Rouge, LA; her siblings Zell Smith, III of Gainesville, FL, Kathleen Holmes (Louie) of Lake Worth, FL, and Sybil Anne Turner (Robb) of Lake Toxaway, NC.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents; Sybil Edwards Smith and Zell Smith Jr., grandson, John Hamilton Avera, and her beloved cousin, Jill Rivers Carter.

A visitation will be held in the parlor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 11:30 am on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, followed by funeral services at 1:00 pm. Pastor R.B. Moore will officiate. Interment will follow at Liberty Hill-Taylor Cemetery in Farmerville. Services are under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Memorial Fund (1901 Lexington Ave, Monroe, LA 71201) or NAFA (600 Forsythe Ave, Monroe, LA 71201).

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Monroe, LA