Obituary of Catherine McKinney Carroll

     Catherine McKinney Carroll, 81, passed away peacefully following an extended illness on May 31, 2022 at her home in Cumming, Georgia surrounded by her family. She was born April 19, 1941 in Spruce Pine, North Carolina where she spent her early youth. She was a resident of the CSRA for 51 years before making Cumming, Georgia her home. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

     Catherine was an avid reader and had a passion for learning and knowledge, specifically in literature, history, and politics. From a young age she would read encyclopedias for entertainment. She attended Jackson High School, Augusta Business College, Augusta Cosmetology School, the University of South Carolina-Aiken, and J. Sargent Reynolds Community College in Virginia. She often reminisced about working at Kress’s lunch counter in historic Augusta, Georgia and at Vickie’s Hair Salon while attending cosmetology school. Catherine later worked at Clearwater Finishing Plant as a screen print designer.

     Catherine was lovingly known as “MeMa” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and there is an ongoing debate as to who was her favorite. Her heart was truly full when she was reading bedtime stories, stacking blocks, feeding dolls, coloring masterpieces, playing board games, or rocking a baby in her arms. Catherine’s greatest accomplishment was raising her three children to whom she sacrificed much, having always put them first in her life. The pride she had for her family is unmatched. Her hobbies included sewing, scrapbooking, and the tracing of her family’s ancestry and genealogy. Catherine never wasted a chance to share a history lesson, and everyone knew about her love of Elvis and Conway Twitty, JFK, cheese, and the color yellow.

     Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, William “Dan” and Augusta McKinney, and siblings Glenn “Sonny” McKinney, Lawrence “DeDe” McKinney, Yolanda Christian, and Beverly Johnson.

     Her legacy will be carried on by her children, Patti (Danny) Jackson, Markie Carroll, and Billy (Barbara) Carroll; hergrandchildren, Kela Sharpton, Austin (Brittney) Jackson, Kaitlyn Carroll, and Ellis Carroll; and her great-grandchildren, Paul Sharpton III, Anna Sharpton, Luke Sharpton, Scottie Jackson, and Taylor Jackson; a brother, Russell (Susie) McKinney; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

     Services will be held Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 3pm at the Green Pond Baptist Church, 2754 Green Pond Road, Jackson, SC with the family receiving visitors one hour before the service begins.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Catherine’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 which was her personal charity of choice for many years.

     The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 649.6234 has charge of arrangements.

     Online expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com.