Carol Mayfield

Carol Jane (Smith) Mayfield was born on September 8, 1941, to Albert and Bessie Faye (McCarty) Smith of Vanzant, Missouri. Carol passed from this life on September 16, 2023, at the age of 82 years, 1 week, and 1 day.

Carol was the youngest of nine children and was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ival, Clovis, and Roy Smith; sisters, Hazel, Ina, twins Mary & Betty Lou; Carol’s infant twin, Darrel Wayne; and a daughter, Lisa.

Carol was happily married for 62 years to Buddy James Mayfield of Norwood, Missouri. The couple would briefly live in Mountain Grove, Missouri, before buying a small farm located south of Cabool, Missouri, where they would raise three children.

Carol loved to be in nature and watching wildlife, feeding raccoons and other animals that would help themselves to the cat food she would leave for every stray that would show up. She often would tell all the deer hunters that gathered at the home each season about all the deer she would see from her kitchen door and tell them they didn’t need to walk far into the woods but just sit on the porch and they would kill one.

Carol also loved to camp at the lake and fish and she especially loved to eat fish. Catch and release was not a practice she enjoyed or endorsed, so much so at times when a nice fish was caught by the boys they would put it in the boat live well until she could be shown and then released in front of her just to hear that quick scolding. Many memories were made at the lake and each one is treasured.

She provided a happy home for her children, shared her love for the outdoors and gave all the love she had to each of them. She gave this same love to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well and always had crafts to do and played games with them. Carol demonstrated what love and humility meant. Above everything, she had a kind gentle heart and always saw good, she always showed good by word, action, and example.

In 2012, the decision was made to sell the farm and Bud and Carol moved back to Mountain Grove. There they settled in to their new home surrounded by many new and wonderful neighbors of which they often said they are blessed to have.

Carol leaves behind a truly loving life partner in her husband, Bud Mayfield, who never left her side as they stood together through everything, all the wonderful times as well as the trials that life had for them; two sons, Michael Mayfield and his wife, Miriam, Robert Mayfield and his wife, Carla, a son in-law Danny Reed; four grandchildren, Jessica Chilson, Kyle Mayfield and his wife, Jacqui, Samantha Brown, and Sabrina Brown; extended grandchildren, Jerimiah and Joshua Rifenburg; and many great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Carol and Bud recently surrendered their hearts to Jesus and were saved in the home, one of best decisions anyone could make, and it was done as they have done for 62 years, together.

Carol will be missed but the days of life here on this earth go quickly and then will we be with her forever because we have the hope given to us thru the acceptance of the gift.

Romans 10:9-10: If you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.