Carol Cope Hilton Smith

Carol Cope Hilton Smith passed peacefully from this life on January 16, 2026. Carol was born on December 24, 1932, in Murray, Utah. When the nurse brought the baby to her parents, Charles Christensen Hilton and Alice Nicholson Cope, she cheerfully announced, “Here’s your Christmas Carol!”

Carol grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, the oldest of three daughters, and graduated from Granite High School in 1951. She met her future husband, Robert Keith Smith (Bob) when he was a model in her drawing class. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 21, 1952, and soon had their first son. After a move to Twin Falls, Idaho, Carol added three more sons to the family, and finally put down roots in Centerville, Utah, in 1967.

They were active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where Carol found her true joy in life was to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Carol served in many capacities in all the auxiliaries on both the ward and stake level. Her passion was missionary work and she was a much-loved ward missionary for more than 10 years. Carol continued being an example to others, bringing them the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, until she left this life to start her next mission.

Carol was a loving mother and a wonderful grandmother and great-grandmother. She cherished parties and activities that brought her family together, enjoyed making gifts for her family and friends, sharing her knowledge and talents with her grandchildren and encouraging their love for reading, music and art. She attended every performance that she could, and collected many artworks from her talented family.

In 2017, Carol and Bob moved to Creekside Assisted Living in Bountiful, Utah, where she resided until her death. Carol always had a smile and a wave for everyone and was well-known at Creekside for her headbands and braids.

Carol is survived by her sons: Charles (Rebecca), Steven (Susie), Russell (Karen) and Todd; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sisters Gail Hilton and Judy Circuit; and Sherrie Smith and Kinue Takaishi, two women who were a wonderful part of her life. She was also blessed with several grands and great-grands by marriage, whom she loved and prayed for along with the rest.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Keith Smith, her parents, and one beloved grandson, with whom she is now reunited.

A visitation in Carol’s honor will be held from 9:30–11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main in Bountiful. A graveside service will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 N Street E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, where Carol will be interred next to Bob.