With deep sadness, the family of Caroline Elizabeth Lowrance Smith (“Liz”) announce her death on April 28, 2025, in Charlotte, NC. Our sister experienced an instant accidental episode, so thankfully, she did not suffer as she transitioned to her next life.

Elizabeth’s parents and grandparents passed away before her.

Elizabeth was born to William Kenneth (“Ken”) Lowrance, Jr. and Janice Marie Hovis Lowrance on March 20, 1987, in Charlotte. When she was five years old, she relocated to Stanley, NC, where she was brought up by her maternal grandparents, Mary Moore Helms Hovis and Clarence Hugh Hovis, as well as her aunt and uncle, Melanie Hovis Mills and Gerry Mills.

She is survived by her children, Jackson Smith and Mary, Jacob, and Joshua Johnson; her siblings, John Kenneth (“Kenny”) Lowrance and wife Amy of Shallotte, NC, Jennifer (“Jenny”) Marie Lowrance Byrd and husband Scott of Concord, NC, and Mary Katherine (“Katie”) Lowrance Williams of Concord, NC.

She has a large extended family who loved her. Despite her difficult adult life, Elizabeth’s family appreciates that she died peacefully without pain or disability.

Elizabeth grew up in Stanley, attending East Gaston High School. She possessed a quick mind, sharp wit, and good looks. She was active in church, dancing, and cheerleading. Elizabeth loved animals and they returned her affection. She had such a tender hearted soul, would give the shirt off of her back to a stranger, never judged others, and lived simply. Elizabeth struggled with addiction and mental health challenges during her adult years. Her insidious diseases were relentless, limiting her ability to function as a responsible adult or enjoy the simple pleasures of life. As Elizabeth continued to abuse substances, her personality changed, and she withdrew further from relationships with her family and friends. Watching the person we knew turn into a stranger over time was a painful loss.

Those of us who knew Elizabeth best and loved her most are devastated by her passing at the age of 38, with so much unused life and opportunity still available to her. We also know in our hearts that the crippling uncertainty and unhappiness which characterized Elizabeth’s life for the last 10+ years are
now gratefully over.

We will choose to recall the sweet, brilliant, beautiful young woman free from the horrible diseases that changed her life and caused her death. We will not picture her in that dark hole of her conditions, which sometimes made her hard to understand and accept. We hope her challenging experience and
passing will encourage others to remain hopeful for change and help prevent further loss of life.

Go in peace, our bright sister.

The family will celebrate Elizabeth’s life in 2026.

Rather than sending flowers, donations may be made to NAMI Cabarrus, AFSP North Carolina, or the AFSP Charlotte Metro Out of the Darkness Walk in her memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Carolina Cremation is assisting the Smith family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.