Carole June Surran
Carole June Surran, 85, died peacefully on October 1, 2021 in Hot Springs, Ark., after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Carole was born to the late John Austin and Hazel Smith in Paragould, Ark. She attended Pine Bluff High School going on to complete a bachelor’s degree in Business in 1958 at the Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College now the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
In 1957 Carole met her soon-to-be husband of 63 years, Boyd, a young soldier in the U.S. Army based at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. The two married in 1958 and went on to have four children: Becky (Tom/deceased) Blankemeier, Fairfield, Conn., Diane (Bob) McGuire, Dallas, Texas, Tom (Elia) San Diego, Calif., and Chris (Tiffany) Dallas, Texas.
Carole worked in several administrative services positions prior to her marriage; however, the role that would ultimately give her the greatest joy was that of devoted wife and mother. She tackled the job like a loving CEO, guiding the family through multiple relocations including Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, California, and Connecticut, all the while helping with homework, driving carpools, cheering along the sidelines, and putting a good homecooked meal (often with southern flair) on the table every night where lively conversations took place along with a lot of laughter.
When not caring for her family, Carole enjoyed listening to music, playing the piano, traveling, and her husband’s love of a good joke. However, it was her deep Catholic faith and veneration of the Virgin Mary that defined her values, integrity and character, leading her to a Master’s degree study at the Pontifical Institute of St. John’s University in New York City, volunteering with her church, tutoring the underprivileged and founding a Christian video library which maintained popularity for 15 years. Carole lived a life of “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
In addition to her husband and four children, Carole is also survived by her 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Hot Springs, Ark. The visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, October 8th, followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and a funeral mass at 11 o’clock. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Online condolences at www.caruth-hale.com.