One of the happiest moments in the household of Richard and Flora Smith and the 6 boys, came on July 8, 1961, with the birth of the 7th child, a girl named Carla Jean. In the hearts of father, mother and the boys, the Lord had granted fulfillment and completion. “7” in the Scripture is one of those numbers of special significance: 7 days in Creation, 7 trips around the wall of Jericho on the 7th day, and now child number 7, is Carla Jean. What joy she brought to the family; always spoiled and treated with specialness. She attended public schools in Peoria, graduating from Richwoods High School in the class of 1979. She was nurtured in the Christian faith, baptized as a child at the Morning Star Baptist Church by the late Pastor Rev. Dr. Calvin Hightower. Her worship was for real: she always sang in the choir, The Echoes of Morning Star; she traveled with the church and choir; she attended the State Baptist Congress as a delegate, participating in the Baptist Youth Fellowship Choir under the direction of her brother, the Reverend Dr. Craig Melvin Smith.
Even after leaving Peoria and relocating to Rockford, she united with the Providence Baptist Church pastored by her brother, Rev. Dr. Craig Melvin Smith. Then on to Chicago, she united with the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church pastored by her brother; and finally she was a chartered member of the Freedom Baptist Church in Hillside. She stood on the first worship service on April 9, 2000, and became one of over 300 to be the first members. She sang in Freedom Hillside’s Sound of Worship, always travelling across the city and state, supporting her Freedom Hillside Church, her Pastor-Brother, and shadowing her favorite brother, Rodney. Carla even ended up in Hawaii with her Freedom Church crew celebrating Deacon Dave and Karen Hannah’s 25th year wedding anniversary. Her annual trip to Las Vegas with her favorite brother was a time of sheer delight. In fact, she was Rodney’s shadow. He couldn’t go far without her tagging along. She never hit the jackpot but she struck gold in the hearts of her blood family and extended family. She loved the Lord, loved the house of the Lord and the people of the Lord.
Her heart and soul were vested in her two sons, Donald “DJ” and DeJuan Bynum, born to her and her then husband, Donald Bynum. She loved them unconditionally, devoted herself to then untiringly and cared for them sacrificially. She made her home with her sons and daughter in law, Joanna (wife of “DJ”). Carla Jean was a strong and independent woman. Her work ethic and commitment was commendable: Manager at Kinko’s, Ricoh Printing Service in South Suburban Hospital for 7 years; she was employed at the Goodwill store. Before leaving her hometown she worked as a security dispatcher at Bradley University.
She joins in heaven her parents, Deacon Richard H. Smith and Flora Berry Smith; her oldest brother, Richard James Smith and her youngest brother, Mark Anthony Smith. To always cherish her memory and looking forward to joining her in Glory are: her two sons Donald Bynum, Jr. (wife, Joanna); and DaJuan Bynum; 4 grandchildren: Janiya, Jaiyana, Journie, and Jaseon; her four brothers, Duane Earl (wife Sharon), Craig Melvin (wife Patricia), Stanley Thomas, Rodney Lee. Her aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and god-family will forever cherish her in their hearts.
Among the very special people in her life, both in truth and in trouble are god-sisters, Mary Wright, Cheryl Conners, Wanda Thomas, Taneisha Philips. God-brothers who also had her back: Larry Davis, Antwine Freeman, Michael Young, and Freddie Blake. Mary Etta and her daughter, Tihila "Nook" opened their hearts and homes to Carla to make her comfortable in her final days. Isn’t that what family does?
Sister Beulah Brent, CEO, and Lisa Washington one of Freedom’s own and the team of woman at Sisters Working It Out gave their hearts, hands, money, goods, services to Carla while she fought breast cancer. Their deeds of faith and labor of love are recorded in heaven. How she appreciated the godly sisters of Freedom Hillside, the Women of Purpose Thursday Prayer Line, and the ladies who send her packages for the refrigerator and her purse consistently. She continued unto her last 3 days of life to call the names of her mother figures, Johnnie Mae Washington and Mother Lottie Geanes. Her daughter in law’s mother, Johnnie Watkins, special blessings upon you for your kindness and care.
There was a team of healing hands at the South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest who did all within their medical ability to render quality care and reasonable recovery. This they did until they were relieved of their duties by the Eternal Healing Hand that spoke at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2020 and said to them: “I’ll take it from here.” He then whispered into Carla’s ear: “Cancer loses, you win. Come on into painless peace and the bountiful bliss of Heaven.”
She loved to go to church on Sunday; so why not go into heaven on Sunday?! There she will forever be with the Lord. When we all get to heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory.
A viewing will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Wallace Funeral Home, Broadview, IL from 4 pm until 7 pm.
A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Freedom Baptist Church, Hillside, IL with a visitation from 11 am until 12 noon where Rev. Dr. Craig M. Smith is the host Pastor. Pastor Ronald Alexander of Hope Fellowship Church, Rockford, IL with bring forth the eulogy. Carla will be laid to rest on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 12 noon at Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, IL with a graveside service following with a balloon release.
The funeral service will be live streamed on Freedom Baptist Church Hillside Facebook page at 12 Noon at www.enjoyfreedom.org