Carolyn Elizabeth Bennett Smoot, 64 of Institute, long time public servant and activist died on Saturday April 17, 2010.

She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Hickman.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Douglas B. Smoot of Institute, daughter, Caroline T. Smoot, Esq., of Washington, DC, mother, Mary Hickman of Logan, two brothers Kenneth Hickman of Logan, and Ronnie Montgomery (Bertlela) of St. Albans, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Carolyn was born in Logan on September 24, 1945. She attended Aracoma High School which closed her junior year, while there she was a member of the National Honor Society, head majorette and a cheerleader. Carolyn graduated from Logan High School. While at Logan High School she was a member of the National Honor Society and was the first African American majorette. Carolyn graduated from West Virginia State College University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While in college she was head majorette, cheerleader, played basketball, was a member of the track team and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Carolyn earned a Masters of Public Administration degree from Marshall University.

Carolyn was the first African American and woman appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the West Virginia State Senate to hold the job title of Commissioner of Employment Security (State of West Virginia). She has also held positions such as: Consultant to the United States Department of Labor, Head of Placement, Director of Education and Training, and Director of Human Resources. Carolyn's most recent job was as an Educator in the Kanawha County School System.

Carolyn has been recognized in publications such as: Directory of Distinguished Americans, Who's Who in the South and Southeast, Edition one of 5,000 Personalities of the World, Who's Who in West Virginia-First Edition, Community Leaders of America, Community Leaders of the World, Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who in Black America, First World Edition in International Book of Honor, West Virginia Ambassador of Goodwill, Featured in Ebony Magazine, Featured in Jet Magazine, Co-Chair of The National Education School of Funding Day (WV)-Sponsored by Congressman Major Owens, Conducted training for the United States Department of Labor, Participant in the first White House Conference on National Growth and Economic Development, Participant in the White House Conference on Science and Technology, National Women's Political Caucus, Co-Chair of The Veteran's Employment and Training Advisory Council, West Virginia Vietnam Veterans Civic Council, Ex-Officio Member of The Labor-Management Advisory Council, West Virginia Political Caucus, Ex-Officio Member of The West Virginia Commission on Aging, Association for Community Education of West Virginia, Advisory Committee of the Community College Component at West Virginia State College University, National Governor's Association, Monitor for Unemployment Insurance Activities, Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies Delivery Systems Task Force, Human Resources Development Foundation, Executive Advisory Board, and received the Freedom Award-Charleston NAACP.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 1 p.m. at The Davis Fine Arts Building located on the campus of West Virginia State College University, with Rev. Ronald English presiding. The family will receive friends and visitors prior to the service beginning at 11 a.m. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will hold The Omega Omega Service at 12:30 p.m.

Funeral arrangements are through Keller Funeral Home, 1236 Myers Avenue, Dunbar, West Virginia 25064, Telephone: (304) 768-1217.