Mrs. Lillie Carolyn Whitfield Jolly

Our beloved mother, Lillie Carolyn Whitfield Jolly, passed away peacefully at her residence on December,7th, 2024 at the age of 94. Carolyn was born in Gordy Community in Worth County on April 1st, 1930 to Clifton Paul and Annie Mae Baxley Whitfield. She was a lifelong Worth county resident. She graduated from Sumner High School as the Valedictorian of her class of 1947. Carolyn married her first and only love, Stephen "Thomas" Jolly Sr. on September 9th, 1947. She began working for Worth County Board of Education in 1966 and retired as the Superintendent's Secretary after 34 years of service. Carolyn attended Abraham Baldwin College for Secretarial Science. Along with raising 4 children and taking care of the Jolly Farm, she supported her community by being a member of the Sylvester Women's Club, Eastern Star, Daughters of American Revolution, and Worth County Historical Society. Carolyn was a member of Sumner Baptist Church where she was the pianist for 40 years and Sunday School Teacher for 20. Carolyn was a homemaker, colleague, and confidant to many, and ran a tight ship. Carolyn was proceeded in death by her husband, Thomas, Aug 30, 2011, and their son David Franklin Jolly, June 26, 2005. Also proceeded in death by her brother, Clifford Whitfield, and sisters Sue Ussery and Mollie Hamby. Her survivors are, Steve (June) Jolly, Emily (Joey) Thompson, and Susan (Paul) Davidson; grandchildren Stephanie McDonald, Russ Young, David Davidson, Traci Kennedy, Melissa Bartley, April Young, Brandy Stodola, and Jeremy Thompson; 16 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren with another on the way in Feb 2025; and beloved caretaker Linda Gardner. Pallbearers: Lt. Cmdr. (Ret.) Walter (Russ) Young, David Davidson, Greg Ussery, Bennett Roberts, CJ Bozeman, Jackson McDonald. Honorary: Larry Ussery, Ray Sumner, Tommy Sumner, Tim Sumner, Mike Roberts, Larry Jones, Tommy McNair, Alan Kimbro, We invite all who cherished Carolyn to join us in a ceremony of remembrance at Banks Funeral Home on Friday Dec. 13th with visitation at 1:00 PM and services to follow at 2:00 PM where we will share stories, laughter, and tears, just as Carolyn would have wished. Dr. Jason Jones and Rev. Daniel Solomon will officiate. The interment will follow in the Sumner Cemetery. For those desiring to honor Carolyn's legacy, monetary donations can be made to Sumner Baptist Church, Sumner Library, or the Margaret Jones Library.

Mrs. Lillie Carolyn Whitfield Jolly

April 1, 1930 - December 7, 2024