Carolyn Sue Patton passed away peacefully on July 22, 2024, at the age of 84. She was a loving (and even more loved) sister, aunt, and friend. An avid world traveler, Carolyn spent her life in a variety of roles that took her from Alabama to California and up the coast to explore the Alaskan frontier. Upon retirement, she returned to Alabama with her sister, Betty, in 2000, and remained close to family and friends until her passing.

Carolyn was born April 4th, 1940, in Alabama City, Alabama, to Emmet and Vera Lucille Patton. After graduating Emma Sansom High School, she (along with her sister and nephew) relocated to California in the late 1950s during the Golden Age of Hollywood. An adventurer at heart, she spent much of her early adulthood in Hollywood and studied acting at UCLA. Her friendly and kind nature endeared her to those she met, and she acquired many colorful stories in her socializing with actors, musicians, dancers, and other notable figures throughout the years. Her tales of dining with the likes of Dennis Hopper or enjoying cocktail parties with Elvis, among others, brought joy and laughter to all her knew her.

Ever the explorer, she traveled to Alaska in the mid-70s, and spent decades exploring the Last Frontier with her family and friends. During that time, she was both a bush pilot (an accomplishment in that few women completed the program in those days), and the executive administrator at the Alaska Carpenter's Trust. She lived in both Wasilla and Anchorage, AK, until 2000, when she and her sister retired and returned to Gadsden, Alabama to be closer to family and friends. Following her return to Alabama, Carolyn was an avid fan of the University of Alabama and Alabama football, an enthusiastic crossword puzzler, and loved to read mysteries and war biographies.

During her life, Carolyn traveled the globe, camping in the forests of Alaska, walking the sandy beaches of Hawaii, or hiking across the white cliffs of Dover. Her persistence to see the world reminded us that the globe is full of wonderous places and people meant to be explored and appreciated. She passed that love on to her nieces and nephews, and her spirit and wisdom will continue to travel with them on every adventure.

She is survived by her nephews Darryl and Tim, nieces Susie and Sissy, great nephew Levi, great nieces Kathleen, Caroline and Kim, sister-in-laws Barbara and Kay, and many other loving family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held with family and friends on August 24th, 1pm-5pm CST, at her home of 27305 Dieken Drive, Athens, AL. For more information regarding attendance, please email caroline.odell@bsci.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Huntsville Humane Society, ph. 256-881-8081, or the Gadsden Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center, ph. 256-442-1347.

We love and miss you, Carolyn, always.