Tributes

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 Carolyn Mullins (née Doyle), a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 85. She was surrounded by family as she journeyed to her eternal rest. Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1939, Carolyn grew up in Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1961. She spent the next few years living and working in Dallas, Texas before returning to Knoxville in 1965 to marry the love of her life, Bill, her husband of 60 years. Over the next decade, Carolyn and Bill’s growing family found themselves living in various states along the East Coast due to Bill’s career with General Motors. Carolyn embraced each move with grace, ensuring that her two daughters had a fulfilling and enriching childhood wherever they lived. Along the way, she maintained her adept administrative skills by working part-time for several religious institutions. In 1979, after returning to Knoxville, Carolyn devoted herself to raising her daughters and supporting Bill as he transitioned into a successful career in real estate, all while maintaining a busy professional life of her own. After her daughters were grown, Carolyn made a leap of faith and nurtured her lifelong love and admiration for fine art and sculpture by opening an art & frame gallery in 1996. Village Fine Art would be Carolyn’s labor of love for the next 17 years. With the help of many loyal patrons and talented associates, Village Fine Art earned a reputation as one of the finest galleries in Knoxville. Carolyn wished to express special gratitude to close friend and associate, Lanelle Holley, a talented artist and framer in her own right, who worked tirelessly alongside Carolyn to ensure exceptional artistic craftsmanship. In 2013, Bill and Carolyn retired to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, to be closer to immediate family and to the ocean. It was here, surrounded by family and the natural beauty of the coast, that Carolyn found peace in her later years. Carolyn was a woman of great intelligence, charm, warmth, and generosity. Her legacy lives on in the love and support she showed her family, friends, and community. Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband, Bill; her daughters, Kathryn Edwards, former son-in-law, Jim Edwards, who remains a cherished part of the family; Sheryl Pless and her husband Jeff; her beloved granddaughter, Caroline Edwards; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, William Carl Doyle, Jr.; a special uncle, James Ralph Carden; and her parents, Ruby Carden Doyle and William Carl Doyle. A private service will be held at Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens in Georgetown, SC on Monday, May 19th for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Brookgreen Gardens https://www.brookgreen.org/donate

Tributes

Carolyn Mullins

October 9, 1939 - May 13, 2025