Carol Hartigan

Carol Hartigan, 82, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 21, 2024. Born in 1941 in Mississippi, Carol was the first child and only daughter of Wilbur Thomas Turner and Annie Laurie Turner. She is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Richard Hartigan; brother, Michael (Connie) Turner; daughters, Laurie (Wes) Blackwell and Tricia (Reggie) Claus; grandchildren, Wesley, David, Elizabeth, and Abigail; and cousin, Leeta Dover. Raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, Carol graduated from Florida Southern College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and taught third grade for several years in Palm Beach County, Florida, and in Cobb County, Georgia. Carol’s love and devotion to family were paramount. She was a loving, attentive, and dearly beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her wit and vivacity were contagious, and she never met a stranger. She could talk to anyone, making people feel as comfortable as an old friend. Affable, creative, smart, funny, and generous are just a few words that described Carol. A gracious hostess, she enjoyed a good celebration and made life’s milestones memorable with her party planning and cooking. A savvy financial steward of her household and a talented homemaker, Carol relished making elaborately decorated birthday cakes for family members. She was an excellent seamstress who sewed clothing, curtains, and other household goods, was well-known for her superb cross-stitching, and was a marvelous quilter. She cheerfully served the youth and elderly of her church over the years and was actively involved in her daughters’ schools and education, instilling in them her own love of reading. Despite being raised near the beach, she loved going to the mountains. Many family camping vacations on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Smoky Mountains were savored. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and making beautiful decorations, treats, and gifts was her forte. Known for her generous hospitality, she hosted festive eggnog parties for many years. In her later years, it was her joy to organize family gatherings and trips and to spoil her grandchildren with special outings and sleepover parties. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Emily Elizabeth Dover Clark memorial scholarship fund: Freed-Hardeman University, 158 East Main Street, Henderson, TN 38340, to the attention of: Kyle Lamb.