Mary Carolyn Brown Whitaker, 85

Mary Carolyn Brown Whitaker, 85, of Mills River died Monday, January 19, 2015 at the Elizabeth House. She was born in Mills River to the late Ed and Julia West Brown. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband David Raymond Whitaker, and 3 brothers: David Brown, Wayne Brown, and Roy Brown.

Carolyn was a graduate of Mills River High School in 1946 and then attended Western Carolina University. She transferred to the Hospital School of Nursing, which was located in the Charlotte Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, NC where she received her degree in nursing. She married David Whitaker in 1975 and unfortunately lost him much too soon in 1997.

Carolyn dedicated her entire life to serving others whether through her 19 years at Margaret R. Pardee Hospital or the dedication to her church and service to God as a faithful member of the Mills River Presbyterian Church in Mills River, NC for over 60 years. She was a member of the women's organization of the church and spent endless hours on volunteering for various projects through the church. Her love of the Mills River Community is reflected by all those who knew and loved Carolyn.

She is survived by one brother James "Jim" Brown and his wife Beverly of Dallas, TX and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews as well as many family members and friends.

There will be a Memorial Service at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Mills River Presbyterian Church officiated by the Reverend Katherine Parker and the Reverend Thomas Parker. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carolyn's name to either the Mills River Presbyterian Church at 10 Presbyterian Church Road, Mills River, NC 28759 or to the Black Mountain Presbyterian Home for Children at 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.