Carolyn L. Smallwood

Carolyn L. (nee Hurrell) Smallwood passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the age of 80, surrounded by members of her family. Carolyn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 11, 1945, to her loving parents, Joseph and Lelia (nee Stephenson) Hurrell, whose belief in education and strong moral values greatly influenced her life.  Carolyn attended Miami University, where she embraced her Christian faith and received her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in 1966. She met her husband, Anthony Smallwood (“Wayne”), in a graduate course, and they married in 1968. During Wayne’s Navy service in the Philippines, their son Scott was born and after returning home to the U.S., their daughter Jennifer was born.

After spending time raising her two children, Carolyn began a career as an Environmental Scientist at the EPA in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her work focused on assessing the risk of Boron in drinking water, culminating in her scientific article being published by the World Health Organization and a trip to Geneva, Switzerland. She enjoyed working with her colleagues at the EPA and described her career as one that allowed her to appreciate the value of consistently learning and persistence. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Carolyn loved to travel and shared countless adventures with her beloved husband, Wayne, often in their RV. 

Carolyn was proud of her roles as daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 52 years, Wayne Smallwood, and granddaughter Melissa Smallwood. She will be dearly missed by her son Scott Smallwood (Cathy), through whom she was blessed with her grandchildren Jessica (William), late Melissa, Elaina, Hayden, and Ryan, and great-grandchildren Charlee and Levi; and her daughter Jennifer (Christopher) Jung, through whom she was blessed with her grandchildren Jacob, Anna, and Grace. Carolyn is also survived by her siblings Joseph (Marilyn) Hurrell and Stephen (Cathy) Hurrell.  Carolyn will also be missed by her best friend since childhood, JoAnn Wieghaus, whom she spoke to every day.

The family would like to thank her friends who took the time to visit her and her former and current neighbors, who watched over her and helped her often, particularly after her husband passed in 2021. The family would also like to thank her neighbors at the Wellington, who embraced her as a friend in the short time she lived there, as well as the care team at the Wellington, who made her wish of being in her home in the end a reality.

Carolyn said many times she was ready to go and faced the end with bravery and grace. While she will be missed, those who love her can take comfort that she now resides with her Lord and Savior. May she rest in peace. Visitation will be held at Frederick Funeral Home, 2553 Banning Rd., on Friday (February 7) from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Special condolences may be expressed at www.frederickfh.com