Carolyn Olinda (Smith) Gaines

Carolyn Olinda Smith Gaines, better known as Kitty, was born to General Lee and Willie Ann Smith on October 9, 1957. Carolyn confessed Christ at an early age and united with First Baptist Church, which is now New Greater First Baptist Church of Thomasville. She was a 1976 graduate of Thomasville High School. She later went on to receive a BS in Early Childhood Education from Alabama A&M University (The Hill) in Huntsville, AL and her Master of Education in ECE from Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL.

Carolyn was an expert in the field of education. She taught school in Fayette, AL and returned to her hometown of Thomasville to help develop lifelong learning in the children of Thomasville. She was an avid teacher and on of Thomasville's best. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her grandbaby DaColley "DJ" Watkins Jr., and her ever so debonair brother Milton Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter Caitlynne Annisa of Mobile, AL.; Two sons: Lieutenant Colonel Kendrick (Angie) Gaines of San Diego, Ca and Bryant (Tiffany) Gaines of Oxford, AL; seven sisters: Gloria Ann Cox of Pearland, TX, Margie (Allan) Ray of El Paso, TX, Sharon (Will) Buford Sr., Marilyn (Amos) McDaniel, Willia Dean Jackson, and Delores Owes all of Thomasville, AL. One brother Leroy Smith of Berkeley, CA. Aundra Edwards of Lansing, IL; 8 grandchildren; 2 devoted nieces Sabrina Cox of Pearland, TX and Ragen Chappelle of El Paso, TX; 4 devoted nephews Demetrius Caster of Mobile, AL, Alan Garrett of Dallas, TX, Will Buford Jr. of Thomasville, AL and William (Alex) Buford of Venice, Italy; A dear and loving friend who brought so much joy to her life Bruce Arnold of Mobile, AL; devoted God daughter Evelyn Moore; two aunts Dora (Levon) Green of Selma, TX and Hattie Pouncy of Thomasville, AL; 2 uncles Alvin Dixon of Nicholasville, AL and Eugene Thompson of Torrance, CA; adopted sisters Debra Watkins, Cheryl Martin, Emily Thornton, Terri Pritchett all of Thomasville, AL and Dorothy (Harold) Thomas of Huntsville, AL; and special extended families Quintin, Tori, Hailey and Aubrey McCall, Bernard, Van, and Sade White and Carleta Hogue. A special childhood friend Janice Jackson (Levi) Brown of McCalla, AL; a host of cousins, sistahs, friends, and TES co-workers.

Graveside Service will be August 15, 2020 at New Greater First Baptist Church Cemetery at 11am.