LauraJo Smole passed away on February 4, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. LauraJo was born July 14, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio, to her parents Joseph and Elizabeth Alice (Kosmac) Smole. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from John Carroll University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Houston. LauraJo served in and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant.
LauraJo was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Arkansas Craft Guild. She was an advocate of LGBTQ+ and disability rights. She fostered Corgis, collected rocks along with crystals, and enjoyed crocheting. She was a true artist who created jewelry, worked in fabric arts, bookbinding, pottery, and was a gallery owner.
Her nieces and nephews loved to tell friends that Aunt Laurie left the military to open a costume shop as she loved making costumes for herself and her Corgis to march in the numerous Eureka Springs parades. She was a caring, generous and compassionate soul whose smile will be greatly missed.
LauraJo was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse John Kirkpatrick, stepson Travis M. Kirkpatrick, brother Bejamin Smole, and sister-in-law Jean Smole. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by her brother Victor Smole, sister Marjorie (Andrew) Burger, sister-in-law Sandy Smole, 8 nieces and nephews, and 14 grand nieces and nephews.
Interment will be at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at a later date. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Eureka Springs, Arkansas after Easter with details to be announced.
Memorial contributions may be made in LauraJo’s name to Cup of Love Ministry (food pantry) at 4032 E. Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 or to the Human Rights Campaign or to a charity of your choice.