GREENSBORO, N.C. — Gertrude Nellie Titus Smith Carroll passed away June 15, after a brief illness.

She was born July 15, 1912, in Bryant Pond, to Leroy and Eva Titus. The family later moved to South Paris, where she lived until 1981. She then lived in Saco, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Greensboro, N.C., where she resided until her death.

She graduated from South Paris High School and Normal School in Boston, Mass., where she majored in music education. She was married to Robert T. Smith on Aug. 25, 1935, until his death in 1968. They had three children, Alan Titus Smith, who died in 1957, and Dennis and Gwen. She was married to James J. Carroll in 1972, until his death in 1973, and loved his daughter, Marylu as her own.

Gertrude was a “born teacher.” After college she was a music supervisor in local schools and a substitute teacher in South Paris schools. She tutored physically and mentally challenged children long before there was special education and was a pioneer in this field. She was the director and teacher of the first school in Oxford County for the mentally challenged children. This work was her passion. She was a housemother at the University of Maine from 1968 to 1970.

Gertrude was an active church member wherever she lived, was a deacon at the Rivermont Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga and attended Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro. She resided at the Carillon, where she participated in many activities.

She is survived by son, Dennis Robert Smith of Whitewater, Wis.; daughters, Gwendolyn Smith Willard of Greensboro, N.C., and Marylu Carroll Nichols of Haverhill, Mass.; grandchildren, Kelly, Stacey, Tanya, Robyn, James, Barbara and Alexander; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also predeceased by her brothers, Alva, Elwood and Leroy; sister, Muriel; grandsons, Christopher and Shawn; and son-in-law, Ted.

Gertrude loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.