Carol Elizabeth Bryant Stith

In the late evening hours of October 17, 2018, Heaven opened its gates and welcomed our mother, grandmother, colleague, and friend.  Mrs. Carol Elizabeth Bryant Stith was called to eternal rest in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Carol was born to the late Willis and Maggie Bryant on December 15, 1946 in Tarboro, North Carolina.  She was a 1963 graduate of Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina, and a 1967 graduate of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina where she earned a bachelor's degree in education.   In 2008, after more than thirty years in education, Carol retired from the Newport News Public School System where she taught math at Dozier Middle School.

It was during her years in Newport News that she met and married Wilbert Stith.  To this union came two sons- Christopher and Brian - both of whom were her pride and joy.

Carol dedicated her life, her energy and her warmth for the benefit of others. For her children, she sacrificed time, energy and a little sanity, traveling around the country so that they could participate, grow, and excel as wrestlers. While her sons were in high school, Carol commuted every day from Virginia Beach to her job at Dozier Middle School, so that her sons could have the best coaches and a chance to obtain collegiate scholarships for wrestling. For her friends, she was a confidant, a help and a source of comfort and joy.

Above all, Carol was a strong, Christian woman. No matter how Carol was feeling, she was always more concerned about the feelings of others. No matter how weak her body became, she would always say she was "doing good" when asked. Carol never cried, she never felt sorry for herself, and she never wavered in her faith or her love for Jesus Christ, our Savior. For those who knew and loved her, we know that she never wanted any of us to worry about her. Because of this, we ask all of those who loved her not to mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life by caring for each other selflessly, lovingly, and without reserve—the way that Carol would have done for us. In this way, Carol's immeasurable legacy of strength and love may live on through each one of us.

Carol leaves precious and loving memories to her children Christopher of Atlanta, Georgia, Brian (Jennika) of Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughter, Mila Stith of Phoenix, Arizona, and a host of relatives and friends.  She is also survived by her beloved shih tzu, Lacey.

We love you Mama Stith. Enjoy your time in heaven until we all meet again.

⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

A Celebration of Life and Thanksgiving will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Newport News.  Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.  Viewing will be from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2018 at the funeral home and from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at the church on Saturday.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.