Carolyn Sue (Smith) Fitzgerald, age 77 of Leesburg, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, November 12, 2026 at her home. She was born December 29, 1948 in Cincinnati, the daughter of the late Ralph and Dorothy R. (Rose) Smith. A 1966 graduate of Fairfield High School, she received her bachelor’s degree in education from Morehead State University and later her master’s degree from Miami University. She began a career teaching at her beloved Fairfield Local School District that spanned thirty-six years. She taught fourth grade for most of those years, and she leaves scores of former students who remember her fondly as one of their favorite teachers. Carolyn was a member of the Leesburg Friends Church her entire life and played the piano and organ for services for many years. She met her husband (Rev.) John Fitzgerald, the then new minister of the church in 1986. They were married on November 26, 1988. Her innate kindness, love and compassion for others as well as her deep Christian faith made her the consummate minister’s wife, and together she and John selflessly served their church and community in every way. She is survived by her husband of thirty-eight years, Rev. John Fitzgerald; her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Donna Smith of Leesburg; two nieces, Beth Smith of Greenfield, and Kristy (Ronnie Lamb) Smith of Leesburg; a great nephew, Lane (Taylor Abbate) Sparks; four great nieces, Annabeth Sparks, Abbey Sparks, Kylee May, and Kendall May; a great-great nephew, Brantley Sparks; as well as numerous friends and church family members. She will be greatly missed. Visitation for Carolyn will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at the Leesburg Friends Church, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18. Burial will follow in the Hardin’s Creek Cemetery at Bridges. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leesburg Friends Church, P.O. Box 393, Leesburg, Ohio 45135.
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Turner & Son Funeral Homes.