Carol Joan Smith was born April 3, 1933 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas the only child of Bernard G. and Gertrude E. Smith. She spent most of her childhood years there and graduated with the 1951 Class of Medicine Lodge High School.

On February 8, 1952, Carol married her high school sweetheart, Donald E. Shelite, and went to work as a secretary at National Gypsum, until the birth of their daughters, Belinda and Pamela. On January 19, 1959, Don was taken from the family by a tragic work related accident.

On February 13, 1961, Carol married Donald M. Mackey and from this union they brought a son into the family - Daniel.

After moving to Anthony in 1961, Carol and Don opened Park Hill Lanes bowling alley, which she owned until November 2015. She worked hard to build the bowling business - adult leagues, learn to bowl lessons, and her biggest passion, the youth. She was a stickler for the rules and cleanliness; Park Hill Lanes was the only bowling alley in the State of Kansas where you had to remove your shoes at the door.

Because of the special needs of her daughter, Pam, Carol became a tireless advocate for the mentally handicap. She and several other parents, started SCARC (South Central Association for Retarded Citizens) from which Arrowhead West was formed. Until her death she was a strong supporter of Starkey Inc.

Besides running a business and her work with SCARC, she worked as a secretary at the Newton Law Office, and later for the Wood Runyan Law Office.

Carol loved to knit, bake, do puzzles, and play the penny and nickel slot machines until her thumb got sore.

Carol had memberships in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Harper County Women's Bowling Association.

Carol was preceded in death by her father, Bernard Smith; her mother, Gertrude Smith Rinke; stepfather, Martin Rinke; and husbands, Donald Shelite and Donald Mackey.

Carol leaves to carry on her passion for life, her children: Belinda Cleveland and husband, Greg, Pam Shelite, and Dan Mackey and wife, Lori; grandchildren: Trent Cleveland and wife, Alisha, Ross Cleveland and wife, Beki, Miles Cleveland, and Taeylynd Mackey; step-grandchildren: Heather Conkel and husband, Jeff and Karisa Eveland and fiancé, Clayton; 5 great-grandchildren: Kiley, Layla, Tenley, Caroline and Adaline Cleveland; 7 step-great grandchildren: Brennen and Alex Hekel, Adysen, Mireyah, Kiera and Raylan Conkel, and Benjamin Mackey; and also the extended families and friends that shared their love and support.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. April 3, 2017 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, of the St. Joan of Arc Parish Community, in Anthony, Kansas. A private inurnment will follow at the Highland Cemetery in Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

Friends may register 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday at Prairie Rose in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Carol may be made to Starkey Inc. or to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements.