Grace Smoot Carson

Grace Smoot Carson passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her husband and four children on January 26, 2021 at the age of 83. Grace was born in Amherst, Virginia on July 20, 1937 to Hope Edward Smoot and Elizabeth Shrader Smoot. Grace attended Longwood College and graduated from Phillips Business College in 1956. She was employed at Seaboard Finance Company as a collection’s manager. In later years, she managed the delicatessen at Winn Dixie and she thoroughly enjoyed her retirement years working at Randolph Macon Woman’s College along with her lifelong friend, Jeannine Abbott Guthrie. Grace is survived by her husband of 59 years, Franklin Delano Carson; her children, Leslie Hope Carson Harris and her husband Bobby Harris, Ann Elizabeth Carson Reinisch and her husband Roger M. Reinisch, Franklin D. Carson Jr. and his girlfriend Frances Tyree, and Mark Dale Carson; her grandchildren, Seth Harris, Carson Reinisch, Forrest Carson and Fischer Carson; her sister, Doris Smoot Smith and preceded in death by her beloved brother-in-law, Dale W. Smith. The family of Grace wishes to thank Centra Hospice for their guidance, support and compassion. In addition, the family would like to thank Grace’s “Moose” family (Moose International) for their love and support. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Moose Charities, Incorporated (Mooseheart Child City & School) 155 International Drive, Mooseheart, Illinois 60539-1100. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.  Our mother would want her loved ones and friends to reflect on this poem as they remember her.
Miss Me But Let Me Go – Unknown
When I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set on me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little–but not too long,
and not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
miss me–but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take,
and each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,
a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
go to the friends we know.
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
miss me–but let me go.