Carolyn Gail Smallwood

Carolyn Gail Smallwood, age 74, of Lowell, Ark., passed away on Sept. 13, 2014. The funeral service will be held at the Robinson Avenue Church of Christ in Springdale, Ark., on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Ark. Carolyn was born in Seminole, Okla., on Nov. 6, 1939, to Clarence and Irene Marsh. She graduated from Okmulgee High School in Okmulgee, Okla., and earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. On Aug. 17, 1958, Carolyn married Marion Smallwood. They were married 56 years. Carolyn worked on the staff of Missouri Governor Warren Hearnes and the Missouri Bicentennial Commission in the 1970s. After working in social work, she worked at Springdale Memorial Hospital for 20 years, first in human resources and then as the director of Environmental Services for 19 years. Carolyn served as president of the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Prevention Taskforce, representing Springdale Memorial Hospital, in the 1980s and 1990s. She was a co-founder of the Life Career Management approach to crisis prevention based on a University of Arkansas doctoral research study and worked to help others until her passing. Carolyn worked to develop and promote a new breed type of English bulldog miniature and placed many with individuals and families. A significant number of these dogs served as therapy dogs and she worked with these clients. This breed type increased in popularity throughout the United States and around the world. Carolyn was a passionate gardener and an enthusiastic fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. She was a pilot and active in several aviation groups. Carolyn enjoyed socializing with her aviation family. Carolyn is survived by her husband, Dr. Marion Smallwood of Lowell, Ark.; her daughter, Dr. Karen Smallwood Ryan of Owasso, Okla.; and her sister, Frances Cates of Yukon, Okla. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Life Career Management Memorial Fund at the Arvest Bank in Springdale. This will help ensure the continuation of Carolyn's work in crisis prevention.