Carole J. Surran

Carole June Surran, 85, died peacefully on Oct. 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 home cooked 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, Oct. 8, followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and a funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. John the Baptist Catholic School.

Online condolences at http://www.caruth-hale.com.