Rod and Carol met at Harding at a softball practice he was coaching. Rod was a beau for Carol’s social club, and he kept hitting the ball to Carol. They married two years later. The Smiths have three grown children—Marisa (Anthony), Jordan (Aryanna), and Jarod (Hope)—and four grandchildren.

Rod worked many years in education and is now self-employed as a painter and handyman. Carol is a former newspaper writer/editor and currently works in the Admissions office at Harding University.

Rod enjoys yard work, singing, reading, traveling, and watching the Razorbacks. Carol likes reading, grammar, cats, music, traveling, baking, and all things Philadelphia, especially the Phillies and Eagles. They both enjoy spending time with grandkids.

Lesser-Known Facts

Carol drove a car for the first time shortly before her fifth birthday. Rod was a high school quarterback.

Mission Work

The couple went on campaigns to Scotland while in college and two mission trips to Massachusetts with Cloverdale. Rod serves as chaplain for the Trail Life chapter that meets at Cloverdale and has worked with the Heart, Mind and Soul support group. The family also visits Vermont every year, where they work with the Green Mountain congregation.

Favorite Verses

Rod: Habakkuk 3.16-19; 2 Corinthians 5.14-21

Carol: Isaiah 40.8