BOWDOIN — Carole M.J. Small, 71, the most beautiful Gayton girl died July 5, at home surrounded by family.

She was born in Sabattus, Sept. 27, 1938, the 13th daughter of the late Edward I. and Florence M. Gayton. At an early age, she started caring for elderly neighbors which she continued throughout her life. She was always baking cookies or muffins for people needing a gift or to say thank you to folks who helped her or her husband Raymon.

Carole was educated in the Sabattus schools and continued her education with culinary course learning to decorated cakes and institutional cooking. She worked at Merry Meeting Poultry Farms before her marriage and then at Mere Point Nursing Home and Bowdoin Central School as a cook.

She married Raymon W. Small on June 2, 1956. They resided early in their marriage on the Millay Homestead in Bowdoinham before moving to Raymon’s family farm in Bowdoin.

Her skills as a cake artist were seen at many weddings and parties. Visitors to the Small’s Dairy Farm were greeted by a show of colors in her many gardens. Her vegetable gardens produced quarts of canned produce, including her golden glow, ripe cucumber (boats), and mustard pickles.

No one will forget the marks she left on the family farm racing from place to place in her wheel chair, pacing thru phone calls, visiting her family, cruising the road giving rides to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She made many afghans for family and friends crocheting winter and rainy days away. Crocheting baby blankets was one of her favorite pastimes with her great-granddaughter Layla receiving her last one.

Carole is survived by her husband, Raymon; her daughter, Laurie A. Linn; her daughter, Ramona F. Stinson and her husband, Skip; her son, James H. Small and his wife, Karyn, all of Bowdoin; her grandchildren include, Daniel Stinson and his wife, Crystal, Amanda Stinson, Jesica Merrill and her husband, Aaron, Jordan Small and Jimmy Small and Danielle Small; great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Layla Stinson; brothers, John Gayton and Donald Gayton; sisters, Winifred Pinard, Faye Tarr, Sharon Llewlyn, Sheila Lavallee; and half sister, Gwendolyn Hollowell.

She was predeceased by her sisters, Lorraine Oliver, Eveline Roehrig, Irene White, Dorothy Morong, Rena McIntosh and Edwina Gayton; her brothers, George Gayton, Edward Gayton, Charles Gayton, Richard Gayton, Kenneth (Barney) Gayton, and Robert (Tim) Gayton.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dostiefuneralhome.com.