SMITH, BETTY "CAROL" BUTERA Age 53 of Homewood; made her earth to heaven transition on October 24th, 2012 from her home. Carol was predeceased by her mother, Betty Thomas Butera and her father, Joseph Anthony Butera. She is survived by her sons, Brandon Anthony Smith of Homewood AL. and Jason Derek Smith of Ragland AL.; her sister, YoLanda Hargraves (Neal) of Birmingham and her "sister by choice" and BFF for the last 32 years, Robin Reid of Mt. Olive and many other family members, friends and co-workers. Carol was retired from AT&T after 31 years of faithful service. She was a lifelong member of Pike Avenue Baptist Church in Ensley where she grew up, a member of the CWA Union Local #3950 and because of her love for Jimmy Buffett and his philanthropy she was a member of the Magic City Parrot Head Phan Club Charity Group - Phins Up Everybody! Carol was a graduate of Ensley High School's Class of 1977 where she made many longtime friends. Carol fought a long and painful 7 year battle with colon cancer. The last 2 years she was on a study drug she received by flying back and forth to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas, so she hopefully could pave an easier path for future cancer patients. Her son, Brandon, was her faithful caregiver for the 7 years and the last 2 years he was by her side 24 hours a day. Carol was so thankful for Brandon's devotion to her. Carol was a wonderful mother to her sons and a steadfast friend to many. She loved to laugh, loved all kinds of music, was always down to party and was always the life of the party. She brightened the lives of many people who will miss her dearly. Carol and her 'sister by choice' Robin held each other up in the hard times after the death of Carol's mom in 2007 and Robin's husband in 2006. Carol told everyone that Robin was her 'earthly angel'. Brandon and Robin were by her side when she made her earthly transition. Carol wished there be no formal service. She requested her ashes be scattered in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of the Gulf Shores beaches she loved so well. A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. A special thank you goes out to her oncologist, Dr. Stephen Beck, nurse Julie and the entire staff of Bruno's Cancer Center, the 4th floor oncology unit nurses and staff at St. Vincent's Hospital, her study drug research team at MD Anderson Cancer Center headed by Dr. Razelle Kurzrock, especially her nurse, Jackie and the nurses and staff of Hope Hospice who have cared so well for her these last few months. Since Carol did her part for cancer research, it was her wish that all memorials to her be made to the Bruno's Cancer Center for research at: http://www.stvhs.com/birmingham/brunocancercenter.asp or by calling them at 205-939-7825. Eastside Funeral Home is assisting.