Carol June Settles Smith

1932 - 2021

Carol June Settles Smith
1932 - 2021
San Diego, CA
Carol June Settles Smith was born in the kitchen of her family home in Lyndon, Illinois on June 27, 1932. Her father, Walter Lee Settles, nicknamed Stormy Settles, held a variety of jobs ranging from owning a Packard and Chevrolet car dealership to egg rancher. Her mother, Blanche Laverne Hardy, was a devoted wife and mother to Carol and her two older siblings, Verna Bell and William. Verna Bell and William both served as Marines in World War II and the family moved from Illinois to San Diego, CA. Carol attended Gompers Jr. High and then Grossmont High School. Carol excelled in student government and ice skating club.At Grossmont High School, Carol met the love of her life, Dean Kyne Smith. They were both members of the Flying Club. Carol raced Dean as he drove from one small San Diego airport to another and she flew a small plane. Dean was a US Marine in the Korean War and the young couple tied the knot in a whirlwind wedding in 1951. After Dean's service, the couple lived in married housing and graduated from San Diego State together. They also attended university in Mexico City. In the 1950s, they worked as teachers in rural Campo, CA. Teaching wasn't Dean's cup of tea, but Carol was a natural, and she taught kindergarten for many years, primarily with the Chula Vista Elementary School District. One of her greatest strengths was her love of children and her ability to encourage their burgeoning creative and curious spirits.To say that Carol was an avid reader would be an understatement; she devoured books like candy and was a book club member for decades in multiple book clubs. She was a longtime volunteer at the Friends of the Chula Vista Public Library and she helped bring the Civic Center library into fruition in the 1970s. Carol volunteered for numerous community and First UU Church projects; her volunteer efforts spanned from working for The League of Women Voters, to actions for immigrant rights, teaching swim lessons for the Red Cross, and many more. Carol loved creating and studying art and was a docent at the San Diego Museum of Art starting in the early 1990's.However, Carol's defining feature was her immense pride in her three children and their families, Murray Kyne (Sandy), Jefferson Scott (Dawn), Ellen Ann (Ruben). Impertinent at times, she would beam about her grandchildren's unique achievements. She loved Erin, Bailey, Tatum, Shelby, and Sam boundlessly. She was a frequent feature at soft ball, cheerleading, tennis, camping, water polo, swimming, piano, soccer, and other activities that her grandchildren pursued. Carol lived a life full of love. She traveled, with and without her beloved Dean (who died in 2010), exploring China, Turkey, Europe, Russia and all parts of the United States. But, her home on Sea Vale Street was her safe haven and a welcome gathering place for family (especially her nieces and nephews), friends, and community. She will be missed beyond measure. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Friends of The Chula Vista Public Library (https://www.thefcvl.org/donate.html). A private inurnment will take place at Ft. Rosecrans on June 17, 2021 with a public Celebration of Life at First UU Church of San Diego in the fall.