Carolyn Gail Smith Braden, 75, of Lawrence, KS, passed away following a courageous seven year battle with cancer. She accepted with grace and dignity the scourge of cancer, and fought to the end, claiming victory in our Lord Christ Jesus on December 18, 2024.

She was the eldest child born July 31, 1949, to parents Marcille Jean Wohlford Smith and J.D. Smith, both deceased. In 1967, she graduated from Center High School, Kansas City, MO, and briefly worked for ABWA and Southwestern Bell. She hired out for ATSF Railway Company in 1973 subsequently working for BNSF until her retirement, 37 years later. She retired as a Planner at the Argentine, Kansas LMIT.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen P. Braden, her son Joey Hartegan (Amanda), step-daughter Bonnie and five grandchildren. She also leaves with broken hearts, two sisters Julia (Harry) of Belton, MO, Lorna (John), of Overland Park, KS, and a brother Kenneth (Laura) of Wichita, KS, numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Graveside service and inurnment to be Saturday, January 4, 2025, 11 a.m., Centralia, Kansas Cemetery.